German space rocket explodes seconds after take-off from Norway in historic launch

Watch the horrifying moment the first-ever orbital rocket launched from Europe explodes just moments after take-off.

A test rocket has crashed to the ground and exploded 40 seconds after take-off from an idyllic Norwegian spaceport.

The incredible footage shows the uncrewed 28-metre Spectrum rocket launching into the sky in front of Arctic Andøya’s picturesque spaceport on Sunday.

But within moments of its launch, the craft begins to smoke from its sides and plummet back towards the ground.

Rocket "Spectrum" lifts off for a test flight at Andoya Spaceport. Picture: Wingmen Media / AP

The historic launch took a fiery turn after exploding within seconds. Picture: Simon Fischer /AFP

A massive explosion erupts as it crashes into the sea, marking a fiery end to what was hoped to be the continent’s first-ever orbital launch attempt.

The launch was a major step in Europe’s bid to break into the booming commercial satellite demand where several nations, including Sweden and Britain, have said they want a share of a growing market for space missions.

The uncrewed rocket explodes in the sea after falling from the sky. Picture: Wingmen Media / AP

Despite its explosive end, German start-up Isar Aerospace said this was an initial test as part of a project aimed at kickstarting satellite launches from Europe.

“Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success,” said Daniel Metzler, Isar’s Chief Executive and Co-founder.”

The company described the launch as a success. Picture: Wingmen Media / AP

A massive plume of smoke rises to the sky after the blast. Picture: Wingmen Media / AP)

“We had a clean lift-off, 30 seconds of flight and even got to validate our Flight Termination System”, he continued.

Isar had warned that the rocket was unlikely to reach orbit, and the aim was to test all integrated systems in a live environment. They said the test produced extensive data that its team could learn from.

Bulent Altan, Isar Aerospace chairman and former SpaceX executive, said that he was “very confident” that Isar would be one of the fastest companies to reach orbit.

While the European Space Agency (ESA) has been sending rockets into orbit for decades, it typically relies on launch sites in French Guiana and the US.

Though short-lived, Sunday’s launch is a key step in Europe’s homegrown space ambitions.

Originally published as German space rocket explodes seconds after take-off from Norway in historic launch