“A German startup has launched the first commercial rocket to reach orbit from continental Europe, a milestone for Europe’s efforts to secure independent access to space.

Isar Aerospace said on Sunday that it would rapidly ⁠expand satellite deployments after the ⁠first orbital launch of ​its uncrewed Spectrum rocket from Arctic Norway, marking a ⁠breakthrough for a region where several countries are seeking a foothold in the fast-growing market for satellite launches…

It was Isar’s second launch, 18 months after the company’s first rocket plunged into the sea and exploded in a fiery spectacle shortly after takeoff from the same site.

Isar has said it already has five more rockets in production and is now focused on scaling up operations to meet rising demand, with a long-term goal of conducting about 40 launches a year.”

From The Guardian.