OSLO: The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe crashed seconds after blast-off on Sunday, in a closely watched test for the continent’s bid to build a new space economy.

The Spectrum rocket, developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, started smoking from its sides, then crashed back to Earth with a powerful explosion just after launching from Norway’s Andoya Spaceport in the Arctic, in live video broadcast on YouTube.

Orbital rockets are designed to place loads such as satellites into or beyond Earth’s orbit.

The 92-foot rocket was not carrying any payload for flight

Spectrum’s blast-off was the first of an orbital launch vehicle from the European continent, excluding Russia, and Europe’s first financed almost exclusively by the private sector.

The launch had been repeatedly postponed due to weather conditions, and Isar Aerospace had downplayed expectations.

“Every second we fly is good, because we collect data and experience. Thirty seconds would already be a great success,” said Daniel Metzler, the company’s co-founder and chief executive, ahead of the launch.

“We do not expect to reach orbit with this test. In fact, no company has yet managed to put its first orbital launch vehicle into orbit.”

The 28-metre (92-foot), two-stage rocket was not carrying any load for the test flight.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025