German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket

It wasn’t easy. Europe boasts a robust space sector with an impressive pedigree, but the industry is not known for its dynamism. “Especially early on, back in 2018, when, frankly, there was no ‘New Space’ industry, especially on this side of the Atlantic, people said it will never work,” Metzler told reporters in a press briefing Sunday. “People will continue to always say this will not work, and that will not work, until we just prove them wrong. Giving up is not in our DNA. ” It took eight years for Isar to get to orbit, a timetable similar to other successful commercial rocket startups in the West