German rocket reaches space as Europe enters satellite launch race
Isar Aerospace, which launched its rocket from a spaceport in Norway, plans to offer a commercial satellite launch service
German start-up Isar Aerospace on Saturday launched its first rocket into space from a site in Arctic Norway, bringing Europe closer to offering satellite flights from its own soil.
The uncrewed Spectrum rocket was the first commercial flight to reach orbit from continental Europe, where several nations have said they want a share of a growing market for space missions.
“We’re in orbit! And just made European history,” Isar said in a post on social media.
The event was a breakthrough for the European launch industry, giving the continent better access to space, Norway’s minister of industry and commerce, Cecilie Myrseth, said in a statement.