Developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, the Spectrum rocket, started smoking from its sides after being launched in the air. Isar Aerospace did not expect to reach orbit with the launch. The company further stated that the two-stage rocket crashed into the sea and that "the launch pad appears to be intact.

Dramatic footage captured the Spectrum rocket spiraling out of control before plummeting to the ground and exploding in a fireball.

The unmanned Spectrum rocket, an orbital rocket developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, crashed and exploded 40 seconds after takeoff.