The German startup Isar Aerospace successfully launched its Spectrum rocket from the Andøya spaceport in Norway on September 5, 2026. This marks a significant milestone: it is the first time a privately developed rocket has reached orbit from continental Europe. The two-stage, 28-meter-tall rocket carried five cubesats and a scientific experiment. After several delays due to technical issues, weather, and other obstacles, this second launch proved successful. The achievement is seen as a key step for Europe to reduce its dependence on external space launch providers.
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