Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video] | Hacker News Reader

Isar Aerospace launch into orbit [video]

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108 pointsstefan_18 comments

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.

This second launch included some payloads - cube sats.

Some more discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49580369

As a person involved in the operations side of this campaign. HOLY SHIT we did it!

With a pretty good sized rocket as well. 4x Rocket Lab’s Electron payload and 4x to 9x smaller than Falcon 9.

We made history man. Such a good feeling

Congrats! Do you have an EU flag on the wall like the US space companies have an US flag?

What an odd question to ask.

what’s odd about it?

One odd thing about it is that it was launched from a country that is not a member of the EU?

So? Ariane flies from french guiana and has all the participants flags on it.

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.

You are right

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".

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.

Well done!

Congratulations to all involved!

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!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com