German Spectrum Rocket Crashes Shortly After Launch

The German Spectrum rocket, developed by Isar Aerospace, tragically crashed shortly after its launch from a site in northern Norway, marking a setback for Europe's ambitions in the competitive space industry. This event was intended to be a milestone for European space endeavors, as it represented the first commercial rocket launch from the region aimed at achieving orbital insertion.

The Spectrum rocket, measuring 28 meters in height, was expected to reach low Earth orbit, a feat that would have been unprecedented for a rocket launched from Western Europe. Traditionally, European rockets have taken off from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Although the launch was unsuccessful, experts emphasize that the attempt itself is significant. Walther Pelzer, head of the German Space Agency, noted that reaching this stage is a remarkable achievement for Isar Aerospace.

Founded in 2018 from a student initiative at the Technical University of Munich, Isar Aerospace has grown from a team of 40 to over 400 employees, backed by substantial financial investment totaling around 400 million euros, making it the most well-funded rocket startup in Europe. Much of this funding has come from private investors.

The company prides itself on its ability to manufacture about 90% of the Spectrum's components in-house, including its rocket engines, utilizing innovative methods such as 3D printing to reduce costs. The Spectrum rocket, equipped with ten engines, is designed to carry payloads of up to one ton into low Earth orbit, classifying it among the microlaunchers that target the growing market for small satellites.

These small satellites, often no larger than a shoebox, are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower production costs and quicker development times compared to traditional satellites. Experts estimate that approximately 90% of the satellites launched in the coming years will weigh less than 500 kilograms. Currently, such small satellites are predominantly deployed using larger rockets, which may not be fully utilized for their primary payloads. Pelzer likened microlaunchers to taxis, providing more tailored services for satellite operators who require specific orbital placements.

The European market for microlaunchers has been previously underestimated, with Arianespace holding a near-monopoly on space launch services in Europe. However, a shift in perception began a few years ago, catalyzed by the German Space Agency, which initiated a competition for microlaunchers in 2020, offering 25 million euros in funding. Isar Aerospace won the first round of this competition in 2021, receiving 11 million euros in support, a significant achievement for a company still in its early stages.

Isar Aerospace and fellow startup Rocket Factory Augsburg are among a handful of European companies poised to challenge Arianespace's dominance. The European Space Agency (ESA) has also contributed to this shift by allocating funds to support the development of these new launch vehicles. Pelzer believes that the fast-growing space market necessitates a sovereign and cost-effective access to space, achievable through increased competition.

Looking ahead, Pelzer anticipates more test flights from European microlaunchers later this year, as companies like Rocket Factory Augsburg work on their next-generation rockets. While some analysts predict that only a few European rocket firms will survive in the long term, the demand for reliable and efficient launch services remains uncertain.

The success of microlaunchers could pave the way for future developments in larger rockets, potentially leading to the next-generation launch vehicles that will succeed the Ariane 6. The ESA is exploring this avenue through the European Launcher Challenge, which aims to foster the development of cost-effective launch solutions.