Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket lifts off on its second flight
Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video]
German startup Isar Aerospace launched its Spectrum rocket on the 'Onward and Upward' mission from Andøya Spaceport in Norway. This second flight serves as the vehicle's qualification mission and its first to carry a payload. The livestream, produced with NASASpaceflight, marks a key step for the company as it aims to provide dedicated smallsat launches.
The second flight of our ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle marks a significant milestone serving as both the vehicle’s qualification mission and its first flight carrying payload.
- huhtenberg
How does Isar Aerospace fit in with other smaller rocket launchers?
I'd imagine they are well behind, say, RKLB, but how far are they from commercial launches?
Edit after some digging, some background info:
Vehicle | Height | Diameter | Payload to LEO
-----------+--------+----------+----------------
Electron | 18 m | 1.8 m | 300 kg
Isar | 28 m | 2.0 m | 1000 kg
Neutron * | 43 m | 7.0 m | 13000 kg
Falcon 9 | 70 m | 3.7 m | 23000 kg
* in the works
To Rocket Lab's defense, they do quite a bit more than just launching Electrons and chipping at the Neutron.
- westpfelia
As a person involved in the operations side of this campaign. HOLY SHIT we did it!
- ChrisArchitect
Some more discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49580369