Historic German rocket test from spaceport in Norway set for Sunday

The historic test flight of an orbital launch vehicle by German space start-up Isar Aerospace is scheduled for Sunday in northern Norway, the company said, following a delay due to adverse weather conditions, reported dpa.

The launch depends on weather, safety considerations and other conditions, Isar Aerospace said on Saturday.

The company's Spectrum launch vehicle had been set to take off from the Andøya spaceport on Monday, but the test was pushed back due to high winds.

Several launch options were then considered, including initial plans for Saturday.

The test aims to gather as much data and experience as possible. It is not expected to reach orbit. No company has ever managed to get its first rocket into orbit, a spokeswoman said recently.

Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018, is seeking to develop a viable launch vehicle to carry satellites to orbit.

It is a European rival to Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The Norway blast-off is set to be a double premiere as it is not only the first flight for Isar Aerospace, but also the first launch of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe.

Europe is currently lagging the United States, China and India in space travel, amid delays in the development of the ESA's Ariane 6 launcher.

The Spectrum launch vehicle is 28 metres long, with a diameter of 2 metres. Depending on the desired orbit, it can carry a payload of between 700 and 1,000 kilograms to space.

If it carries out a successful test, Isar could ramp up production, with two further rockets already being built.