German Rocket Fails as Europe Seeks Alternatives to SpaceX

Rocket fails to reach orbit in test flight when Europe seeks sovereignty in space tech

- Bloomberg

A rocket made by German startup Isar Aerospace failed to reach orbit on its first test flight, veering seconds after liftoff before crashing into the icy surrounds of its launch base in Norway on Sunday.

Andoya Space, which developed the launchpad, said crisis management has been activated following the incident, in a statement on its website. "We are collaborating with the emergency services, and Isar Aerospace to gain an overview of the situation," it said.

A successful launch, a key step in developing Europe's first spaceport for orbital missions, would have made Isar the first company to reach orbit from a European spaceport.