A spectacular video of the take-off and fall of the Spectrum rocket, developed by German company Isar Aerospace, appeared on the Internet on Monday.
The footage shows the rocket losing control seconds after lift off from the Andøya launch site in Norway, doing a somersault and falling into the sea, leaving behind a cloud of a mixture of oxygen and propane.
Orbital rockets are designed to launch satellites into earth orbit or beyond. Spectrum is designed for small and medium satellites weighing up to one tonne, although it carried no cargo on its maiden flight from the spaceport in Norway.
The launch has been repeatedly delayed due to weather conditions, and Isar Aerospace has lowered expectations.
