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.

Despite the failed launch, Isar Aerospace emphasized that the test provided valuable data for future attempts. The company had previously cautioned that the initial flight might not be successful.

The Spectrum rocket is designed to carry small and medium-sized satellites weighing up to one metric tonne. However, Sunday’s flight did not include a payload, as the primary goal was to test the launch vehicle’s performance.

The failure highlights the challenges European nations face in competing with global space giants like SpaceX, which dominates the satellite launch market from the United States, and France’s ArianeGroup, which operates from French Guiana.

Germany’s aerospace industry association, BDLI, remains optimistic despite the setback. “Europe urgently needs to ensure its sovereignty in space,” said BDLI Managing Director Marie-Christine von Hahn, adding that alternatives to SpaceX’s Starlink network should be developed.

Europe is ramping up efforts to establish independent launch capabilities. Sweden’s Esrange Space Center and the UK’s SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands are emerging as key rivals to Norway’s Andøya site.

SaxaVord, which faced a setback last year when a rocket engine exploded during testing, plans to conduct its first satellite launch in the third quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Esrange is also gearing up for its inaugural launch later this year.