German Company Launches Rocket as Europe Enters Satellite Race

Germany’s Isar Aerospace has launched a rocket into orbit from Norway as Europe aims to boost its ability to independently send satellites into space.

The 28-metre-long (92 ft) Spectrum rocket blasted off into space at 10:12pm (20:12 GMT) on Saturday from the Andøya spaceport in Arctic Norway, Isar Aerospace said.

The uncrewed rocket carried five satellites that were deployed while in orbit, the German start-up said, adding that “spacecraft separation was completed successfully” after satellite deployment.

The Spectrum rocket reached an altitude of 100km (62 miles) above Earth’s surface in less than four minutes, presenters said during a live broadcast of the rocket’s takeoff.

"We're in orbit! And just made European history: This is the first time a privately developed rocket reached orbit from continental Europe," the company wrote on X.

"Germany has spaceflight capabilities," said the country's Ministry for Research, Technology and Space on X, praising a "milestone that impressively demonstrates our country's innovative strength and technical expertise".

According to Isar Aerospace, the launch was for "both the vehicle's qualification mission and its first flight carrying payload."

The move is believed to bring Europe closer to being able to offer satellite flights from its own territory. Several countries voiced interest in the growing market of commercial space missions, including Britain and Sweden.

Source: DW News | Al Jazeera