German Start-Up’s Rocket Crashes in First Launch, as Planned

A Fall into the Sea, but a Leap for German Aerospace

On March 30, 2025, a German-built rocket launched from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport in what was to be a historic first: the debut of a commercial orbital rocket from continental Europe. Within thirty seconds of liftoff, the 28-meter-long rocket known as Spectrum, developed by Munich-based start-up Isar Aerospace, lost control and plummeted into the Norwegian Sea.

Despite the crash, the company declared the mission a success. Isar Aerospace had never promised orbital entry in this maiden voyage. Instead, the goal was to collect telemetry and technical data under real flight conditions. And that goal, they said, was met in full.

Daniel Metzler, co-founder and CEO of Isar Aerospace, described the launch as the culmination of years of engineering. “We demonstrated that we can design, build, and launch rockets,” Metzler said. “The flight delivered terabytes of valuable data for our next launch. We expected a short flight, and we got what we needed.”

Historic Launch from European Soil

The Spectrum rocket marks a milestone not only for Isar Aerospace but for Europe’s role in the global space industry. Until now, all orbital launches by European companies relied on foreign launchpads—typically in French Guiana or from American providers like SpaceX. The Andøya launch was the first commercial orbital attempt from continental Europe.

The test flight received broad attention from both the public and policymakers. German Economics Minister Robert Habeck called it “a strategic turning point” and emphasized the growing importance of independent access to space for national and European sovereignty. Marie-Christine von Hahn of the German Aerospace Industries Association echoed this, stating that the data collected from the test will significantly advance Germany’s space technology capabilities.

The launch also served to highlight Europe’s dependency on foreign providers. In recent years, European satellites, including those for defense and reconnaissance, have been launched using American rockets—sometimes exposing sensitive payload specifications. Analysts see this dependency as increasingly risky in light of shifting geopolitical alliances.

Isar Aerospace: Aiming to Fill a Critical Market Gap

Founded in 2018 in Ottobrunn near Munich, Isar Aerospace aims to become a European alternative to space giants like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The company has raised over €400 million and built a 40,000-square-meter manufacturing facility where it plans to produce up to 40 rockets annually. Its Spectrum rocket is designed to carry payloads of 700 to 1,000 kilograms—making it suitable for small satellite launches.

Unlike larger rockets that carry multiple payloads like a public bus, Spectrum offers a “space taxi” model: smaller, individualized missions with faster turnaround times. This flexibility is becoming increasingly relevant as satellite deployments grow rapidly. From Earth observation to internet connectivity, demand for satellite launches continues to rise. In 2024 alone, more than 3,700 satellites were added to orbit, according to Novaspace.

Currently, Spectrum may be a fraction of the size and capacity of SpaceX’s Falcon 9, but the company is confident that its focus on automation, 3D printing, and modular design will help reduce costs and allow rapid scaling. The second and third Spectrum rockets are already under construction.

Europe’s Space Start-Ups Accelerate

Isar Aerospace is not alone. Across the continent, space start-ups are pushing forward with similar ambitions. UK-based Orbex is preparing for a launch from Scotland, and France’s Latitude is developing its own small launch system. In Germany, Rocket Factory Augsburg and Hyimpulse are also working on competing vehicles.

Yet none have reached orbit. So far, Europe’s private sector has lagged behind the U.S., where SpaceX conducted 134 launches in 2024 alone. In contrast, Arianespace—the EU’s traditional space launch provider—conducted just three launches in the same year. Industry insiders argue that Europe’s cautious regulatory environment and fragmented infrastructure have slowed development.

Hans Königsmann, a former SpaceX executive, described European efforts as promising but not yet competitive. “These rockets are an important step,” he said. “But they are not competition for SpaceX—at least not yet.”

Strategic Importance and Military Implications

The test flight occurred at a moment of growing concern over European defense readiness. With U.S. geopolitical stability in question, European leaders are increasingly alarmed by their limited control over satellite infrastructure.

Isar Aerospace CEO Metzler has voiced frustration at Europe’s defense procurement priorities. “We invest in expensive ships but ignore the satellite systems that control them,” he said. Without satellite support, he argued, modern naval operations are effectively blind.

This sentiment is reflected in recent policy reports, including the “Draghi Report” on EU competitiveness, which explicitly names space access as a weak point in Europe’s security strategy. The inclusion of the NATO Innovation Fund as a recent investor in Isar Aerospace further signals how intertwined space and defense have become.

Data Over Perfection: A New Engineering Philosophy

The launch also marked a shift in how space missions are approached. In contrast to the old aerospace model of perfecting every component before flight, companies like Isar Aerospace now favor rapid testing and iterative design—a strategy popularized by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. “Trial and error saves time,” said Metzler. “The first flight was always meant to end quickly. Now we know exactly what to improve.”

Telemetry from the short flight included temperature, pressure, and vibration data from across the rocket’s structure and engines. Engineers are already analyzing the results, and a second test flight is expected soon. The next rocket, Spectrum 2, is reportedly ready for launch once adjustments are made based on the flight data.

A Long Road to Orbit, But the Countdown Has Begun

Despite the crash, the test validated key systems, including lift-off stability, initial engine performance, and remote safety protocols. Crucially, the vehicle did not explode on the launchpad, preserving the ground infrastructure for future flights.

With a 20-year lease on the Andøya Spaceport, Isar Aerospace plans regular launches from the Arctic site. The location offers logistical advantages and safety due to the unpopulated flight paths over the ocean. It also allows direct access to polar orbits—ideal for Earth observation satellites that require consistent imaging times.

Though a full orbital mission is still ahead, the successful takeoff marks a turning point for Germany’s private space sector. For Isar Aerospace and its European peers, the race is just beginning.