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Isar Aerospace Spectrum Rocket Suffers Fiery Crash During Inaugural Launch Attempt
A dramatic drone video captured the explosive failure of Isar Aerospace’s first orbital launch attempt. The Spectrum rocket experienced a fiery crash into the sea shortly after liftoff, marking a setback for the German company and European spaceport ambitions.
The incident occurred during what was intended to be the first-ever orbital launch attempt from continental Europe. Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket lifted off from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway on Sunday morning, March 30.
Launch Anomaly and Rocket Failure
While the Spectrum rocket successfully cleared the launch tower, it encountered an anomaly moments later. The footage reveals the rocket veering off course, flipping over, and plummeting into the ocean near the launch pad. The impact generated a large, orange plume against the backdrop of the Arctic sky.
Assessing the Aftermath
According to Isar Aerospace, initial assessments indicate that the launch pad and surrounding infrastructure sustained no apparent damage. Despite the rocket failure, the company emphasized the positive aspects of Spectrum’s initial flight.
Company Statement on Test Flight
“Our first test flight achieved significant milestones and aligned with our expectations,” stated Daniel Metzler, CEO and Co-founder of Isar Aerospace, in an email communication. “We achieved a clean liftoff, approximately 30 seconds of flight, and successfully validated our flight termination system.”
European Space Agency Reaction
European space officials have adopted a similarly optimistic perspective following the launch attempt.
“A test flight serves its purpose by providing crucial data for analysis, learning, and refinement,” commented European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher in a separate statement released on Sunday.
Aschbacher added, “The progress Isar Aerospace demonstrated today is noteworthy, and the data acquired will be invaluable for their analysis. We commend the teams for reaching this stage, and we are confident in witnessing the next Spectrum rocket on the launch pad, prepared for flight test 2, in the near future.”
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