Germany's Isar Aerospace launches rocket into orbit from Norway

Munich - The Bavarian aerospace startup Isar Aerospace is attempting a new launch with its carrier rocket, the Spectrum, according to a company statement. The Spectrum rocket, manufactured in Germany, is scheduled to launch from the Norwegian spaceport Andøya at 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, the company announced. This was the third attempt for the Spectrum, which made its first test flight in spring of the previous year but crashed into the sea after 30 seconds.

The second attempt was initially planned for January but has been postponed multiple times. The Spectrum is intended to deliver civilian and military satellites into low Earth orbits, situated a few hundred kilometers above the Earth, once its serial production is completed. The Munich-based company aims to produce 40 rockets per year.

According to company information, Isar Aerospace is already booked with contracts worth several hundred million dollars through 2028, despite the rocket not being ready for mass production.