Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video]

huhtenberg•about 2 hours ago

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.

NetMageSCW•about 2 hours ago

This second launch included some payloads - cube sats.

ChrisArchitect•about 1 hour ago

Some more discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49580369

westpfelia•about 2 hours ago

As a person involved in the operations side of this campaign. HOLY SHIT we did it!

nkoren•15 minutes ago

FANTASTIC accomplishment, congratulations!!!!

Now: please make it rapidly reusable and at least 10x larger. Europe desperately needs sovereign launch capabilities in that class. Today, you were the first to cross the starting line. AWESOME. Have a drink, get some rest, and get back to work. Everyone will be rooting for you!

consumer451•35 minutes ago

Congratulations to all involved!

NetMageSCW•about 2 hours ago

With a pretty good sized rocket as well. 4x Rocket Lab’s Electron payload and 4x to 9x smaller than Falcon 9.

westpfelia•about 2 hours ago

We made history man. Such a good feeling

tectonic•about 1 hour ago

Well done!

mrtksn•about 1 hour ago

Congrats! Do you have an EU flag on the wall like the US space companies have an US flag?

okanat•34 minutes ago

EU isn't a single identity. Usually overt displays of nationalism is frowned upon in Europe, especially in Germany. Moreover I have a strong guess that if there would be a flag, it would be the Bavarian one for a company called "Isar".

mrtksn•23 minutes ago

EU is a single well defined entity, the frowned upon flags are the German flags, EU flags are well tolerated especially in international settings.

For example the first electric plane that recently flew was originally European until last year and they had an EU flag on it. When eventually flew in USA they had the US flag.

eps•about 1 hour ago

What an odd question to ask.

mrtksn•about 1 hour ago

what’s odd about it?

Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video]

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