Isar Spectrum
 

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Isar Aerospace’s first Spectrum launch fails

WASHINGTON — The first launch of Isar Aerospace’ Spectrum rocket failed March 30 when the vehicle lost attitude control seconds after liftoff and plummeted back to Earth.

The Spectrum rocket lifted off from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway at 6:30 a.m. Eastern. Weather conditions had postponed the launch by more than a week. The company had a launch period of March 20 through March 31 set by a license the company received from Norwegian regulators March 17.

The vehicle soared into clear skies, but appeared to lose attitude control about 25 seconds after liftoff, shortly after the announcer for the company’s launch webcast said the vehicle would make a pitchover maneuver, designed to allow the rocket to gain horizontal speed as well as altitude.

Within five seconds, the vehicle completely pitched over and started descending. While the webcast cut away from the rocket, an explosion could be heard on the broadcast about 10 seconds later. Video from VG, a Norwegian publication, showed the rocket hitting the ground near the pad and exploding.

The launch, called “Going Full Spectrum” by the company, was a test flight with no payloads on board. “Our goal is to test each and every component and system of the launch vehicle,” said Alexandre Dalloneau, vice president of mission and launch operations at Isar Aerospace, in a pre-launch statement.

“No matter how far we come with this test flight, Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’ will be a reason for our entire team to be very proud, a success for Isar Aerospace and our close partner Andøya Spaceport, and a huge step forward for European access to space,” he added.......

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