A German start-up, Isar Aerospace, launched its rocket, Spectrum, in Norway, after multiple delays. The 28-meter-long rocket, capable of carrying a one-ton payload, took off at 12:30 and flew for about 30 seconds, as expected. The company’s goal is to establish a launch site in Norway, enabling the deployment of satellites into polar orbits, which is crucial for the future of northern shipping routes.
Isar Aerospace, backed by investors such as Porsche SE, is one of three German start-ups in the space industry. Experts point out that the development of European launch capabilities is driven by a growing need for independence in security-critical areas, such as satellite communication and surveillance.
The Ariane rocket, developed by Airbus, has a long history, dating back to the 1960s. The first successful launch took place on Christmas Day in 1979. In contrast, the Spectrum rocket is a privately funded project, with a development period of seven years. The company aims to perform 40 launches annually, with a plan to learn from the first launch’s outcome and improve the design.
The next Spectrum rocket is reportedly ready and will be launched once the data from the first flight is analyzed, a process that may take weeks or months. Although Isar Aerospace is a commercial company, it has received investment from the NATO Investments Fund, highlighting the blurred lines between civilian and military space activities.