Space travel
Before Isar Aerospace test flight: “The rocket can explode”
The first complete rocket of the Bavarian start-up Isar Aerospace could stand out on Monday. It is all about gathering experience, but the next flight should go into space.
If everything goes well and the weather plays along, the Spectrum rocket of the Bavarian start-up Isar Aerospace is to take off for your first test flight from the Norwegian Andøya SpacePort on Monday. This emerges from a current message from the company. The aim of the test is therefore to collect as much data and experience as possible.
It is largely excluded that the rocket reaches orbit during its first complete test flight. “The rocket can explode, which is even likely as part of the test flight,” says a spokeswoman. “Every second that we fly is good because we gain data and experience. 30 seconds would be a great success. In fact, no company has managed to bring the first rocket into orbit.”
Whether the countdown really runs on Monday morning and the rocket in the scheduled time window starts between 12.30 and 3.30 p.m., still depends on many factors. In addition to the weather, this also includes the possibility that the rocket’s reviews stand out that still have to be changed. That could lead to shifts.
The next rockets are already in production
If the test flight is going well, things could go relatively quickly. The missiles two and three are already in production, as the spokeswoman says. “How quickly you will be on the launchpad also depends on the results of the first test flight- and whether only software or hardware adjustments have to be made. However, our goal is in any case that we are back on the starting place as soon as possible.”
The Spectrum rocket is 28 meters long and has a diameter of two meters, depending on which orbit it strives, the commercial load that it can promote is – called the space jargon Payoad – at 700 to 1000 kilos. According to the current planning, it should already be used by satellites.
The start of the test missiles from Norway should be a double premiere: not only the first flight for Isar Aerospace, but also the first start of an orbital launch in continental Europe.
Up to 40 rockets a year
Isar Aerospace develops carrier rockets for the transport of satellites to the earth orbit. Last year even India had more rockets lifted than Europe. One cause is the years of delays in the development of the Ariane 6 support missile.
Future vision at Isar Aerospace is the construction of up to 40 support missiles per year. So far, the start-up has raised more than 400 million euros in capital. In the recent round of financing, NATO Innovation Fund had also started, a venture capital fund supported by 24 NATO countries.
dpa
Source: Stern
