German space rocket explodes just seconds after test launch

On Sunday (March 30), an orbital rocket built by Isar Aerospace, a startup based in Ottobrunn, Munich, was launched from the Andøya Space Center in Norway. However, just seconds after leaving the launch pad, the rocket fell into the sea and exploded.

Spectrum rocket lifts off from the launch pad. Screenshot.

Despite the failure of the test flight, Isar Aerospace still claimed that it was a great success. They claimed that they had become the first commercial space company to launch an orbital rocket from continental Europe.

The rocket, named Spectrum, fell into the Norwegian Sea about 30 seconds after launch, but the company said the main goal of the flight was to collect technical data to improve future launches.

The launch took place at 12:30 p.m. local time from the Andøya Space Center in Norway. According to Isar Aerospace, the rocket successfully lifted off from the launch pad before the incident.

"The missile was disabled after 30 seconds and fell into the sea in a controlled manner," the company said.

"Our first test flight exceeded all expectations and was a huge success. We have proven that we can not only design and build, but also launch a rocket," said Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace, in a statement on the company's website.

The Spectrum rocket is 28 meters long and 2 meters in diameter, and can carry a payload of 700 to 1,000 kg into space, depending on the orbit.

Founded in 2018, Isar Aerospace is seen as Europe's answer to space giants like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Despite its ambitions, Europe lags behind the US, China and India in space exploration. Europe lacks a reliable satellite launch system, after the Ariane 6 program was delayed and Russia suspended space cooperation with Europe.

Cao Phong (according to DW, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ten-lua-khong-gian-duc-no-tung-chi-vai-giay-sau-khi-phong-thu-post340795.html