German start-up Isar Aerospace has successfully launched its Spectrum rocket from the Andøya spaceport (a launch facility in Arctic Norway), marking the first time a privately developed rocket has reached space from European soil. The 28-metre-long uncrewed vehicle lifted off on Saturday evening, climbing beyond 100km altitude in under four minutes and deploying five satellites before completing separation. The achievement comes as Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on US-based SpaceX for satellite launches, having struggled to develop independent orbital capability since severing ties with Russia's Soyuz rockets.