Germany enters the space race. Rocket test launch explodes. Largest since WWII and V-2

[WhatInThe]

Germany has entered the modern space race including the experience of a failed test launch/rocket blowing up. First launch of a large rocket since World War II/a V-2 rocket.

Rocket carrying European orbital vehicle crashed after seconds after takeoff in Norway

Germany’s largest rocket since V-2 crashes and explodes seconds after launch

The launch was by a German/European aerospace start up company. They want to be able to launch rockets into space from Europe so they don't have to use others.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I was amazed that 88 nations have satellites in orbit.
I guess Poland is getting a little edgy.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Glad there wasn't a crew.

 

[Paladin1950]

Glad there wasn't a crew.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I think it’s fine for private companies to experiment with satellite launches, space exploration, travel, etc … but IMO it’s too late and too expensive for individual countries to enter the space race.

 

[George1959]

Glad there wasn't a crew.

No, on the contrary. There are a lot of people who should have been on board. I have tons of suggestions

By the way: The end of the rocket is typical for Germany. Everything is collapsing here.

 

[Mike]

Never heard anything about this, no news
reports, maybe because of embarrassment.

Mike.

 

[raybar]

George1959 said, "The end of the rocket is typical for Germany."
Mike said "... maybe because of embarrassment."

No.
This was a prototype. Prototypes are expected to fail. I even heard an engineer years ago saying that they wanted them to fail "as soon as possible" so they could analyze the data, figure out what happened, and fix the problems.

 

[Twostep]

So, we recycle trash in four bins, restrict use of fossil fuels, punish travellers for carbon foot prints and use major resources to shoot something up there to join the trash of other unsuccessful launches. Occasionally a piece falls down so gossip sheets have something to print about.

 

[VaughanJB]

I think it’s fine for private companies to experiment with satellite launches, space exploration, travel, etc … but IMO it’s too late and too expensive for individual countries to enter the space race.

There needs to be a lot more regulation in this area. We're at a point now where many organizations can throw up satellites, whenever they want. This is going to create a lot of "space junk", which is becoming an increasingly problematic topic. For example, Musk has so far launched 2000 satellites for his Starlink system to date. When his full implementation is in place, it'll total 11,000 to 12,000 satellites for Starlink alone.

The ability to track both satellites, and to plan for end of life (such as making sure they don't just stay in place, or crash randomly to earth) is essential. Not to mention, there have already been cases where Starlink satellites have spoiled telescope views of the cosmos from the ground.

China claims to now have a spy satellite that can perform face recognition from 60 miles away. Think about that........