The first attempt to launch an orbital rocket from continental Europe has failed

The first launch vehicle from the European continent has crashed seconds after liftoff.

The Spectrum rocket, developed by Germany's Isar Aerospace, exploded violently and crashed shortly after it launched from the spaceport on the Norwegian island of Ando on Sunday, according to a live YouTube feed.

Spectrum was the first launch of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe (excluding Russia) and the first launch in Europe to be funded almost entirely by private industry.

The launch has been repeatedly delayed due to bad weather, and Isar has lowered expectations.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Isar co-founder and CEO Metzler said: "Every second of our flight was beautiful because we collected data and experience. Thirty seconds is a huge success.

"We do not expect this test to go into orbit. In fact, no company has ever successfully put its first orbital launch vehicle into orbit."

Using liquid oxygen and propane fuel, the 28-meter tall, small and medium-sized launch vehicle is capable of carrying about one ton of payload into low Earth orbit. However, like the first launches of other rockets, the first flight of the Spectrum does not carry a real payload.

Virgin Orbit conducted Europe's first orbital launch attempt in 2023. The company tried to use a launch platform converted from a Boeing 747 to launch a rocket into orbit in southwest England, but the mission failed, causing the company to collapse.