German Company Launches Rocket as Europe Enters Satellite Race

Europe’s satellite ambitions have received a boost from a German start-up. Isar Aerospace launched its 28-metre Spectrum rocket from the Andøya spaceport in Arctic Norway, carrying five satellites that were deployed in orbit.

The uncrewed rocket lifted off at 10:12 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to the company. Presenters on the live broadcast said it reached an altitude of 100 kilometres in less than four minutes. Isar Aerospace said spacecraft separation was completed successfully after the satellite deployment.

The company described the flight as the first time a privately developed rocket had reached space from Europe. Its first test launch, in March 2022, ended when the rocket plunged into the sea and exploded 30 seconds after liftoff. A second launch had been scheduled for January but was postponed several times.

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Spacecraft separation was completed successfully.

Europe remains heavily dependent on foreign launch providers. After cutting ties with Russia’s Soyuz rockets, it has faced setbacks in sending satellites into orbit with its own technology. Most European satellites have been launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX from the United States. A 2023 attempt by Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit to launch a satellite from Western Europe also failed after an anomaly.

Isar Aerospace says the United States launched 198 rockets last year, compared with eight from Europe. The company aims to build capacity for up to 40 launch vehicles annually. It has also secured a $230 million European Space Agency contract to speed development and expand launch infrastructure. ESA space transportation director Géraldine Naja said the milestone begins the European Launcher Challenge and encourages competition among European launch providers.

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This milestone kicks off the European Launcher Challenge, encouraging competition among European launch providers.