First Orbital Rocket Launch from Continental Europe Ends in Controlled Crash

German startup Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket flew for 30 seconds before crashing into the sea, gathering critical data for future missions.

The Spectrum rocket, developed by Isar Aerospace, launched from Norway's Andøya Spaceport on March 30, 2025, marking the first orbital rocket launch attempt from continental Europe, excluding Russia.
The uncrewed rocket lost attitude control approximately 25 seconds after liftoff and crashed into the sea 30 seconds into the flight in a controlled manner, with no injuries or damage to the launch pad reported.
Isar Aerospace declared the test flight a success, highlighting the collection of substantial flight data and the validation of its Flight Termination System as key achievements.
The launch reflects Europe's push for independent space access, driven by private sector innovation and reduced reliance on Russian space infrastructure following geopolitical shifts.
The European Space Agency praised the effort as a significant milestone for European space capabilities, with Isar Aerospace planning to analyze the data to refine future launches.