A test rocket designed to pave the way for European satellite launches crashed and exploded 40 seconds after liftoff from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport on Sunday.
The uncrewed Spectrum rocket, developed by German startup Isar Aerospace, was undertaking its first test flight.
Billed as Europe’s first attempt at an orbital launch, the mission aimed to establish a foothold in the growing commercial space industry, where countries like Sweden and the UK are vying for a share of the market.