German rocket startup attempts fourth launch after multiple delays

Bavarian space startup Isar Aerospace is set to make its fourth attempt at launching its "Spectrum" rocket for its second test flight on Monday evening. The launch window opens from the Andøya spaceport in Norway.

The "Spectrum" rocket, designed to carry satellites into near-Earth orbits once commercially ready, has faced a series of setbacks. Its first test flight last spring ended prematurely after 30 seconds, with the rocket crashing into the sea. A subsequent January launch was postponed due to a faulty valve. Further delays occurred in March when a Norwegian fisherman's boat failed to clear the safety zone in time, and an April attempt was halted because of a leaky pressure vessel.

This latest attempt carries five mini-satellites and a scientific experiment. Isar Aerospace aims to accelerate its path to commercial spaceflight, seeking to offer a European alternative to services like those provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which required four test flights. The company plans to produce up to 40 rockets annually, intending to lessen Europe's reliance on the US for satellite deployment, as European satellites are currently largely launched by SpaceX.