Isar Aerospace aborts Spectrum rocket launch again

The second test flight of the Spectrum rocket from the German company Isar Aerospace was aborted on Wednesday. The countdown at Norway’s Andøya spaceport was halted shortly before lift-off – another delay after earlier weather-related disruptions.

As the Epoch Times reports, the rocket was also due to carry its first payload, comprising five small satellites and an experiment.

Isar Aerospace is one of Europe’s most ambitious space start-ups. Its two-stage Spectrum rocket, 28 metres high, is designed to launch small and medium-sized satellites into low Earth orbit.

During its first test last March, the rocket lifted off but fell into the sea after about 30 seconds.

The company has raised more than €500 million since its founding in 2018. It is also part of a broader European effort to build greater independence from the US and Russia in space.

However, the launch vehicle segment remains clearly dominated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to available data.

(pir)