Overview

• The Spectrum rocket, developed by Isar Aerospace, marked the first orbital launch attempt from continental Europe, excluding Russia, on March 30, 2025.
• The rocket lifted off from Andøya Spaceport in Norway but crashed into the Norwegian Sea 30 seconds after launch due to a controlled flight termination.
• Despite the crash, the test flight was declared a success for achieving objectives such as validating the Flight Termination System and gathering valuable flight data.
• The Spectrum rocket is a two-stage vehicle designed to carry small and medium satellites, with a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kilograms.
• This milestone highlights Europe's growing efforts to establish independent space capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign providers like SpaceX.