A rocket leaves the launch pad.
This is the first test flight of the two-stage rocket Spectrum, developed by German space startup Isar Aerospace.
However, shortly after liftoff, the rocket began to tilt, a flight termination command was issued in about 30 seconds, and the rocket crashed into the sea.
About a year and a half later, on the night of the 5th local time, a second Spectrum stood on the same launch pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway.
The rocket soared once again, and this time it was different.
Spectrum successfully entered its target orbit and deployed five small satellites and technical experimental payloads into orbit.
It succeeded on its second attempt.
This marks the first time a commercial rocket launched from the European continent has reached Earth orbit.
The success of Spectrum, a launch vehicle for small and medium-sized satellites, is drawing attention also because of its launch site.
Europe has long possessed domestically developed rockets, but its main spaceport is located across the Atlantic in French Guiana, South America.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launches using Russian rockets have virtually halted, and recently, the use of rockets from US companies has also increased.
While the importance of satellites is growing steadily across communications, Earth observation, and security and defense, Europe has had to rely heavily on outside sources for the launch vehicles to send them into space.
Therefore, the ability to launch satellites directly from European soil when needed is considered not only an industrial competitiveness issue but also a matter of strategic independence.
Securing the launch capability to directly send satellites into space from Europe when needed has emerged as a security issue beyond industrial competitiveness.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is also promoting the European Launcher Challenge to foster private launch vehicles.
The goal is to nurture private space companies in Europe, including Isar Aerospace, to diversify launch options and increase independence in space access.
The development of new spaceports and launch vehicles is also underway in Sweden and the UK.
Reported by Sim Yeong-gu | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.