Isar Aerospace's First Spectrum Rocket Launch Fails, But Company Vows to Learn and Launch Again
Isar Aerospace's maiden Spectrum rocket launch on March 30, 2023, encountered a setback due to an open vent valve and loss of attitude control. Despite the failure, the company considers the test flight successful and is gearing up for a second launch.
The initial launch saw cryogenic vapors escaping through an open vent valve before liftoff. This issue, coupled with improper characterization of the vehicle's bending modes at liftoff, led to a loss of attitude control. Consequently, the vehicle veered off course, triggering the flight termination system, and the rocket crashed into the sea.
Isar Aerospace, however, views this first flight as a successful test. The launch demonstrated the functionality of the in-house developed flight termination system. The company is now focused on rectifying the issues and preparing for the second launch. This upcoming mission aims to reach orbit and carry cubesats for the European Space Agency's 'Boost!' program. Long-term plans include producing 30 to 40 vehicles annually, utilizing launch sites in Andøya and Kourou. The first test of the first stage is scheduled for mid-2025, with the earliest possible launch in the same year.
Isar Aerospace's first Spectrum rocket launch, although unsuccessful, provided valuable data for future missions. The company is committed to learning from these setbacks and working towards a successful second launch, with the ultimate goal of increasing its launch cadence to six to eight missions in 2028.
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