A private aerospace firm in Europe experienced a brief but impactful test flight on Sunday when its rocket launched from Norway and splashed down into the sea a mere 30 seconds later. Despite the seemingly abrupt conclusion, Isar Aerospace, the company behind this undertaking, hailed the launch as a successful inaugural test flight for its orbital launch vehicle, the Spectrum rocket, which took off from Andøya Island in Northern Norway.
The Spectrum rocket, a 28-meter-long (92-foot-long) two-stage vehicle, is engineered to deploy small to medium satellites into space. It launched from the pad at 12:30 p.m. local time (1030 GMT) and maintained flight for approximately half a minute before the mission was intentionally terminated, according to Isar.
In a statement, Isar Aerospace emphasized the significance of the launch, noting it provided valuable flight data and experience crucial for future missions. “Following a termination order at the 30-second mark, the vehicle descended into the ocean in a controlled fashion,” they elaborated. Footage captured during the event showed the rocket ascending, then subsequently descending and erupting in flames as it entered the sea.
The timing of the launch was influenced by numerous variables, such as weather conditions and safety measures. This successful liftoff came after a week marked by unsuitable weather, including a delayed attempt on March 24 due to adverse winds and another postponement on Saturday caused by weather-related constraints.
Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar, expressed satisfaction with the test’s outcomes, stating, “The first trial met all anticipated objectives and stood as a remarkable triumph. We achieved a successful liftoff, sustained flight for 30 seconds, and successfully verified our Flight Termination System.”
Isar Aerospace had anticipated the rocket would not achieve orbital insertion on its first complete flight, emphasizing instead the importance of acquiring comprehensive data and operational experience during this initial test of its internally engineered launch system.
Operating independently from the European Space Agency (ESA), which functions under the support of its 23 member states, Isar Aerospace’s success did not go unrecognized. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher commented on the achievement via social media, acknowledging the data gathered and cheering Isar’s resilience in the challenging endeavor of rocket launches.
While ESA has a long history of launching rockets and satellites, primarily from French Guiana and occasionally from Cape Canaveral in Florida, this test represents a notable milestone for Isar Aerospace as it continues to refine its launch capabilities.