Spectrum launched from theAndya Space Center in Norway before plumetting into the icy sea. Isar AerospaceA test rocket developed by a German start-up crashed into the sea about half a minute after taking off from Norway on March 30. Though the rocket, called Spectrum, did not reach space, the test marks the first orbital flight outside of Russia launched from continental Europe.The start-up that built Spectrum, Isar Aerospace, still hailed Sundays launch as a win, stating that it allowed the company to gather important flight data to improve future missions.Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success, says Daniel Metzler, Isars CEO and co-founder, in a statement. We had a clean liftoff, 30 seconds of flight and even got to validate our Flight Termination System, a safety measure that shuts down the rockets engines in the event of a malfunction. The launch had been delayed several times due to weather.Theres about a million things that can go wrong and only one way things actually go right, Metzler said in a video interview ahead of the launch, per the New York TimesIsabella Kwai. Frankly, Id be happy if we just fly 30 seconds.The rocket made it 25 seconds before it appeared to lose attitude control, or the ability to regulate its orientation, reports Space News Jeff Foust. Spectrum tipped over in mid-air, then plummeted downward. It exploded about ten seconds later. The rocket fell into the Norwegian Sea in a controlled manner, per the statement, and the launch pad remained intact.First commercial rocket from western Europe explodes shortly after launchWatch on Orbital rockets like this one are meant to place payloads such as satellites into or outside of the Earths orbit. Spectrum, which stretches more than 90 feet long, is intended to carry up to 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds).But for this flight, as Metzler said on a call with reporters roughly four hours after the launch attempt, the company never expected that we would get to orbit, per Space News. We set out to gather data primarily, and that is something that we have successfully achieved.We gathered tons of data.The launch is part of a push from European companies to get ahead in the space race, reports Rob Picheta for CNN. Europe has long depended on Russia for space launches, but it hasnt had access to Russian space stations or launch pads since the countrys 2022 invasion of Ukraine, reports Le Monde. Now, European nations are hoping to foster a new era of independence, with private companies at the helm.As a company with European roots, we are proud to have shown that Europe has an enduring capacity for bold thinking and grand achievements, Metzler adds in the statement. We will be able to serve customers from around the world to bring their satellites into space and to help Europe solve a major blind spot in its security architecture: access to space.Isar isnt the first company to attempt a European orbital flight. In 2023, British millionaire Richard Bransons Virgin Orbit launched a flight over the Atlantic Ocean that reached space but failed to attain orbit, and the company folded a few months later.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Astronomy, Germany, Innovations, Outer Space, Russia , Satellites, Space Travel, Technology