Space: The countdown is running: Bavarian start-up tests rocket

The countdown for the test flight of the Spectrum rocket of the Bavarian start-up Isar Aerospace is running. If nothing comes in between, it should take off within a time window from 12.30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., as the company reports. However, this is not yet certain that the countdown is stopped or even canceled before starting a rocket happens again and again – possible reasons would be, among other things, security concerns or the weather.

According to Isar Aerospace, the aim of the test flight is to gain as much data and as much experience as possible. The fact that the rocket reaches the orbit is largely excluded. In the past, no company had managed to get his first rocket into the orbit, a spokeswoman emphasized in advance. “The rocket can explode, which is even likely as part of the test flight,” she said. “30 seconds would be a great success.”

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 2 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.