Weather Hits German Start-Up's Test Flight: Isar Aerospace's Rocket Launch from Norway Postponed
Delay in launching the Isar Aerospace rocket due to unfavorable weather conditions
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German start-up Isar Aerospace is all set to blast off satellites into space regularly using its carrier rockets, but the first test flight isn't without its challenges. The initial test flight, slated for today in Norway, hit a snag due to unfavorable winds.
The countdown was halted, and the Spectrum rocket, already fueled and standing on the launch pad at the Norwegian spaceport Andøya, had to be drained. Whether it will make another appearance depends on the weather—if it's good enough, the rocket will return to the launch pad. No damage occurred to either the rocket or the launch pad.
Isar Aerospace's primary aim for the test flight is to gather as much data and hands-on experience as possible. An orbit isn't part of the plan this time around. Historically, no company has succeeded in getting their first rocket into orbit with the first test flight, a spokesperson warned beforehand. "30 seconds is already a massive success," she said.
Next Attempt on the Horizon
Should the test flight go well, the company can proceed relatively swiftly. The apps for rockets two and three are already in production. The timeline for their launch depends on the results of the initial test flight and whether only software or hardware changes are needed. Isar Aerospace aims to get back on the launch pad as soon as possible.
The Spectrum rocket measures 28 meters in length and has a diameter of 2 meters. The payload it can carry, known as payload in space jargon, ranges from 700 to 1,000 kilograms, depending on the orbit it aims for. The Spectrum rocket is set for its commercial debut on the second flight, carrying satellites.
The upcoming launch from Norway promises to be the first orbital launch of a carrier rocket in continental Europe—both for Isar Aerospace and space history.
Europe's Sluggish Rocket Launch Pace
Isar Aerospace is pioneering the development of carrier rockets for satellite transport. Last year, even India launched more rockets than Europe, a consequence of years-long setbacks in the development of the Ariane 6 carrier rocket.
Isar Aerospace envisions a future where it produces up to 40 carrier rockets per year. To date, the start-up has secured over 400 million euros in funding, with the latest funding round including the NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund backed by 24 NATO countries.
If the test flight goes according to plan, Isar Aerospace isn't wasting any time. With the second and third flight vehicles already in production, the company is eager to put the lesson from the first test flight to work and return to the launch pad as soon as possible.
- Space
- Norway
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Sources:
- ntv.de
- as/dpa
- Assorted enrichment data from additional sources.
Despite the postponement of the first test flight due to unfavorable weather in Norway, Isar Aerospace, a Norwegian start-up, remains committed to gathering data and hands-on experience with its Spectrum rocket. The company has already initiated the applications for rockets two and three, hoping to return to the launch pad as soon as possible. Vocational training and adhering to community policy are essential in ensuring the success of their future missions, aiming to produce up to 40 carrier rockets per year.
