European orbital rocket crashes and explodes after launch

The Spectrum rocket failed in a test launch that was expected to be a new step for Europe in the space field.

Spectrum rocket is moved to launch pad before failed test

The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe (excluding Russia) crashed shortly after liftoff on March 30, in a closely watched test of the continent's efforts to build a new space economy .

The Spectrum rocket, developed by Germany's Isar Aerospace, caught fire in its fuselage and crashed and exploded after being launched from Andoya Spaceport in Norway, according to AFP.

The missile was launched from the launch pad at 12:30 p.m. on March 30 and flew for about 30 seconds before ending its flight, Isar Aerospace said. The missile then fell into the sea.

Measuring 28 metres long, the two-stage rocket is designed to launch small and medium-sized satellites into space. The launch was delayed several times due to weather conditions. Isar Aerospace did not have high expectations for this test.

“Every second the rocket flies is valuable, because we gain data and experience. Thirty seconds is a huge success,” said Daniel Metzler, the company’s co-founder and CEO, before the launch.

“We don’t expect to reach orbit with this test. In fact, no company has ever been able to get its first launch vehicle into orbit,” he added.

Europe's first attempt to launch a rocket into orbit was made in 2023 by billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, which used a Boeing 747 to launch a rocket into orbit from southwest England, but the attempt failed, leading to the company's closure.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ten-lua-quy-dao-cua-chau-au-roi-va-phat-no-sau-khi-phong-185250330204705606.htm