Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video](www.youtube.com)
80 pointsby stefan_4 hours ago3 comments
  • huhtenberg4 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.
    • NetMageSCW4 hours ago
      This second launch included some payloads - cube sats.
  • westpfelia4 hours ago
    As a person involved in the operations side of this campaign. HOLY SHIT we did it!
    • nkoren2 hours 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!

    • NetMageSCW4 hours ago
      With a pretty good sized rocket as well. 4x Rocket Lab’s Electron payload and 4x to 9x smaller than Falcon 9.
      • westpfelia3 hours ago
        We made history man. Such a good feeling
      • 4 hours ago
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    • consumer4512 hours ago
      Congratulations to all involved!
    • tectonic3 hours ago
      Well done!
    • mrtksn3 hours ago
      Congrats! Do you have an EU flag on the wall like the US space companies have an US flag?
      • okanat2 hours 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".
        • mrtksn2 hours 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.

      • eps3 hours ago
        What an odd question to ask.
        • mrtksn3 hours ago
          what’s odd about it?
          • TurboTveit2 hours ago
            One odd thing about it is that it was launched from a country that is not a member of the EU?
            • mrtksn2 hours ago
              So? Ariane flies from french guiana and has all the participants flags on it.
              • nkoren2 hours ago
                Fun fact: French Guiana is a part of France -- and very much part of the EU -- despite not actually being in Europe. In roughly the same way that Hawaii is a part of the United States of America, despite not actually being in America.
                • mrtksn2 hours ago
                  You are right