Rocket Report: Europe joins the commercial launch club; a Ravn X sighting?
Summary
Isar Aerospace, a German company, successfully launched its commercial rocket, Spectrum, into orbit from Norway. This makes it the first European private company to reach orbit with a launch vehicle. Meanwhile, the UK government announced a major investment to boost its space industry.Key Facts
- Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 by three university students in Germany.
- Their rocket, Spectrum, is a two-stage vehicle that reached low-Earth orbit on its second launch attempt.
- Isar Aerospace has raised around $1 billion from private investors and employs about 500 people.
- This launch is the first fully commercial orbital rocket success in Europe.
- The UK government plans to invest £7.8 billion ($10.5 billion) in its national space strategy by 2030.
- The UK aims to grow its space industry, increase security, and support technology development.
- Aevum, another company, tested an autonomous taxi of its Ravn X space plane but is not expected to fly soon.
- Europe’s rocket market has been mostly controlled by government-led projects before private companies like Isar emerged.
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