First orbital rocket launched from Europe crashes into sea - but company says test 'met all expectations'
The unmanned Spectrum rocket blasted off from the Arctic Andoeya Spaceport, on Sunday at 12.30pm local time before it was terminated less than a minute later.
Isar Aerospace, the German company that built the rocket, had warned that the launch could end prematurely. It maintained that despite being short, the flight had produced extensive data that its team could learn from.
"Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success," Daniel Metzler, Isar's chief executive and co-founder, said.
"We had a clean lift-off, 30 seconds of flight and even got to validate our flight termination system."
Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle specifically designed to put small and medium satellites into orbit.
Its maiden voyage was aimed at kickstarting satellite launches from Europe.
Several European nations, including the UK and Sweden, have said they want to be an active player in the growing market of commercial space missions.
Big global companies already ahead in the satellite launch game include Elon Musk's SpaceX, which launches from the US, and French company ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and Safran that uses a spaceport in South America's French Guiana.
Mr Musk's SpaceX also operates the Starlink satellite service, a communications network that can provide much of the globe with access to the internet.
Germany's BDLI aerospace industries association said Isar's first flight would lead to further progress.
BDLI managing director, Marie-Christine von Hahn, said: "Europe urgently needs to ensure its sovereignty in space. Elon Musk's Starlink is not without alternatives - nor should it be."
Read more from Sky News:
Sweden, with its Esrange launch site, and Britain with its SaxaVord Spaceport in the Scottish Shetland Islands, are the nearest rivals to the Norwegian site, all of which aim to give Europe greater autonomy in space flights.
SaxaVord, which suffered a setback when a rocket engine exploded during a test last year, is planning its first satellite launch later this year.
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New York Post
44 minutes ago
- New York Post
Billionaire developer threatens quitting construction in wealthy California enclave as zoning war erupts
A war over zoning regulations is pitting neighbor against neighbor in the idyllic coastal enclave of Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, where a faction of residents is desperately attempting to block a new mixed-use development, despite the village's dire housing shortage. Earlier this month, tensions erupted at a city council meeting in the quaint historic town, after the group opposing the development, known as the JB Pastor project, filed an appeal to block construction on the grounds that the plans lacked adequate parking, among other reasons. Although the local planning commission had unanimously approved the project after six painstaking years of review, and a report from city staff recommended denying the appeal, the council failed to reach a final ruling on the objections, punting the decision until at least next month. The decision left billionaire European developer Patrice Pastor, who named the mixed-use commercial and residential project in honor of his late great-grandfather, in bitter disbelief. 'Following this latest city council meeting it's clear that I need to reconsider my investment in Carmel,' Pastor said in a statement to SFGate. 'It's time to leave this strange community, if you can call it a community.' Pastor, a native of Monaco and heir to a real estate development empire, has been active in Carmel for a decade, acquiring more than $100 million in property across the tiny seaside village that is beloved by Hollywood celebrities. 7 Pastor is a native of Monaco heir to a real estate development empire. Pascal Le Segretain Through his development company Esperanza Carmel, Pastor has acquired, managed, and renovated a number of high-end properties across the village, including the La Rambla building, L'Auberge Carmel Hotel, the Bingham building, and the Carmel Beach Hotel. Pastor's outsized presence in the tiny village of 1 square mile has ruffled more than a few feathers among locals, with some residents fearful that he will disrupt the area's historic charm, or suspicious that his wealth and status give him license to flout strict zoning and preservation rules. But many other residents have welcomed his investments, and believe the town sorely needs the roughly 20 long-term apartment rentals that would be created between the JB Pastor project and another stalled Pastor development, the Ulrika Plaza project. 'There is a brazen shortage of long-term rentals and affordable housing in Carmel,' Erik Bueno, a retired real estate broker and resident of Carmel for more than 30 years, said in a letter supporting the JB Pastor project. 'I believe this project will bring long-term value to the neighborhood and serve as a catalyst for further positive growth.' 7 Pastor's outsized presence in the tiny village of 1 square mile has ruffled more than a few feathers among locals. Genaro Molina Carmel resident Carol Williams, who moved to the village 50 years ago and founded an art gallery there, told that she had always dreamed of helping her daughter purchase a condo nearby. But with prices for those condos now exceeding $3 million, it simply wasn't attainable. 'My daughter's generation of Carmelites are nearly all renting if they desire to remain in Carmel,' she says. 'I founded a gallery and am a self-employed, small business owner. I bought my first Carmel home for $250,000, and no one expected the local real estate market to price out our own children.' listing data shows that in July, the median home in Carmel was priced at more than $2.4 million—more than three times the median price in California and nearly six times the median price nationwide. An additional challenge for longtime Carmel residents is Prop. 19, a California law passed in 2020 that triggers higher property taxes for heirs after the owner of a home dies, by mandating a reassessment at current market value. 7 The median home price in Carmel was over $2.4 million in July. Pascal Le Segretain Williams says that in Carmel, these 'eye popping' new tax bills often force the younger generation to sell inherited homes when their parents die. 'So it is the younger generation of Carmelites, who today are small business owners or successful local artists and working health care professionals, that need rentals like the ones that Pastor was proposing to build for us,' she says. 'I believe there are many people in the local community who would love to remain in Carmel and walk to work, but can't find any suitable long-term rentals.' Initially, Williams was shocked to learn that a group of her neighbors had banded together to file an appeal in a last-ditch attempt to block Pastor's new project, which would add much-needed rental apartments. 'However, admittedly there is a long-standing group of fierce city conservationists who will oppose any changes to Carmel they consider too ambitious and seem very dedicated to keeping the status quo,' she says. 'So I was not really surprised they weighed in, although after all these years their latest delay tactics seem excessive.' 7 New tax bills force young people to sell off their parents homes when they die, according to Williams. Genaro Molina Opponents of the JB Pastor development have raised concerns that it violates local zoning ordinances, while not so subtly implying that cronyism and favoritism toward the wealthy developer Pastor played a role in its approval. 'As city staff you should strive to ensure the proper processes and procedures are employed,' resident Charles Najarian wrote in a letter to the city council urging reconsideration of the project's approval. 'In addition, your role is to represent the best interests of the residents and Carmel, not developers, architects, not special interest groups, and not even the state of California.' That the project was improperly exempted from environment impact review That a connecting balcony between two buildings turned them into a single 'structure' exceeding the maximum square footage allowed in zoning code That the project failed to include the required number of parking spaces In April, attorney Krista Ostoich filed an appeal on behalf of 11 Carmel residents challenging the approval of the JB Pastor project on three main grounds: Parking in particular is a hot-button issue in Carmel, where space is severely limited and out-of-town tourists are abundant. Under local code, the JB Pastor project required 18 parking spaces, including eight for the residential units and 10 for commercial use. But squeezed for space, Pastor had proposed providing 10 spaces using vertical car-stacking equipment, and paying a fee to support centralized public parking to make up the difference. 7 Opponents of the JB Pastor development have raised concerns that it violates local zoning ordinances. Genaro Molina 'Carmel desperately needs parking and I agree that whatever rentals he builds should offer the required number of parking spots,' says Williams, who supports the project. 'I don't know about the rest of the issues, but parking is a longtime hot topic in Carmel and certainly needs rectifying.' At the city council meeting on Aug. 4 to hear the appeal opposing the JB Pastor project, passions flared during public comments as residents spoke out both in favor and against the development. 'These parking [requirements], lack of water, and make-believe historical designations have all worked to assist the small few, who use these same old excuses to stop whatever project they personally don't like,' said resident Donna Jett. 'And what a waste of our time.' Another resident read a letter from a friend who wished to remain anonymous, characterizing the approval of the JB Pastor project as potentially corrupt. 7 Under local code, the JB Pastor project required 18 parking spaces, including eight for the residential units and 10 for commercial use. Genaro Molina 'The very qualities that once made Carmel exceptional are being chipped away, not by neglect, but by decisions that increasingly appear compromised,' the letter said. 'Behind the scenes, it's become common knowledge that money talks—people in influential positions, both elected and appointed, are turning a blind eye, either out of convenience, fear, or worse, personal gain.' The marathon hearing of more than six hours was marked by controversy at the outset, after Mayor Dale Byrne and another council member were forced to recuse themselves over their involvement in a local charity that Pastor had made donations to. The remaining three members of the council failed to reach a decision on the appeal, tentatively scheduling another vote on the matter for next month. For Carmel residents, the new delay, and Pastor's subsequent threat to pull the plug on his projects there entirely, could mean the city loses out on the new residential units he planned to build. 7 At the city council meeting on Aug. 4 to hear the appeal opposing the JB Pastor project, passions flared during public comments as residents spoke out both in favor and against the development. Genaro Molina 'Affordability and availability of homes in Carmel has been a major challenge in recent years,' says senior economist Joel Berner. 'Discouraging development is the opposite of what the residents of this exclusive, luxurious city should be doing to address the affordability issues there.' Berner notes that new construction in Carmel remains extremely limited, with new builds making up just 1.7% of homes for sale there in July, compared with 8.6% in California as a whole. Total for-sale inventory in Carmel remains well below pre-pandemic norms, with 41.5% fewer homes for sale in July 2025 than there were in July 2019. Statewide in California, inventory is down just 16.9% over the same period. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'By strictly enforcing zoning regulations like minimum parking requirements, local governments and residents work against themselves when it comes to developing the housing stock in the ways it needs to be developed in inventory-strapped places like Carmel,' says Berner. Pastor, who rarely speaks to the press, did not respond to request for comment, and has not elaborated on his threat to pull the plug on his projects in Carmel. Mayor Byrne and the attorney for the residents who filed the appeal also did not respond to requests for comment. 'We are not treated the same as everyone else. I suppose we are now at the point where we need to accept we are not wanted and draw the necessary conclusions,' Pastor said in the statement to SFGate, adding 'it's time for us to bring our expertise and motivation to other projects, elsewhere, where we will be better received and in a more professional and serious political environment.' Williams, the art gallery owner, tells that she hopes Pastor will reconsider leaving Carmel and find a way to move forward with his projects there. 'There are high quality, artistic and conscientious developers, and Pastor seems one of them,' she says. 'He genuinely loves Carmel and wanted to make a positive and constructive impact. It would be tragic if a handful of stubborn 'no growth' folks are able to run him out of town.'
TechCrunch
44 minutes ago
- TechCrunch
Judge says FTC investigation into Media Matters ‘should alarm all Americans'
A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Federal Trade Commission's investigation into left-leaning advocacy group Media Matters. Back in 2023, Media Matters published research showing ads from major companies had appeared alongside antisemitic and other offensive content on Elon Musk-owned X. When major advertisers subsequently pulled back from the platform, X sued Media Matters. It also sued advertisers and advertiser groups over what it claimed was a 'systematic illegal boycott.' After Musk's then-ally Donald Trump took office again in January, the FTC also began an investigation into whether Media Matters had illegally colluded with advertisers. On Friday, however, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with Media Matters and blocked the FTC's investigation. In her decision, Sooknanan (a district court judge for the District of Columbia appointed by Joe Biden) wrote that the Media Matters article represented 'quintessential First Amendment activity' and the FTC's 'expansive' investigative demands appeared to be 'a retaliatory act.' 'It should alarm all Americans when the Government retaliates against individuals or organizations for engaging in constitutionally protected public debate,' she wrote. 'And that alarm should ring even louder when the Government retaliates against those engaged in newsgathering and reporting.' Sooknanan noted that before his appointment as the current FTC chair, Andrew Ferguson had appeared on Steve Bannon's podcast and called for the FTC to investigate progressive groups criticizing online disinformation, and that he subsequently 'brought on several senior staffers at the FTC who previously made public comments about Media Matters.' The FTC did not immediately respond to a TechCrunch email asking whether it intends to appeal. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW Regardless of the legal outcome, X's lawsuits have already had a significant effect on the targeted organizations, with Media Matters cutting staff (one of the laid off researchers is now running for Congress), while the World Federation of Advertisers shut down its brand safety program and reportedly complained of drained finances. Sooknanan said the FTC investigation has also had its 'intended effect,' prompting Media Matters to decide 'against pursuing certain stories about the FTC, Chairman Ferguson, and Mr. Musk.'
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
After Air Canada suspends operations, government forces airline and union into arbitration
TORONTO — Canada's government forced Air Canada and its striking flight attendants back to work and into arbitration Saturday after a work stoppage stranded more than 100,000 travelers around the world during the peak summer travel season. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said now is not the time to take risks with the economy, noting the unprecedented tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canada. The intervention means the 10,000 flight attendants will return to work soon. The government's action came less than 12 hours after workers walked off the job. 'The talks broke down. It is clear that the parties are not any closer to resolving some of the key issues that remain and they will need help with the arbitrator,' Hajdu said. Hajdu said the full resumption of services could take days, noting it is up to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The shutdown of Canada's largest airline early Saturday is affecting about 130,000 people a day, and some 25,000 Canadians may be stranded. Air Canada operates around 700 flights per day. Hajdu ordered the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the term of the existing collective bargaining agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator. 'Canadians rely on air travel every day, and its importance cannot be understated,' she said. Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, or CUPE, complained in a statement that Hajdu waited only a few hours to intervene and said the government has violated the union's constitutional right to strike. 'The Liberal government is rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted,' he said. Union spokesman Hugh Pouliot didn't immediately know when workers would return to work. 'We're on the picket lines until further notice,' he said. The bitter contract fight between the airline and the union representing 10,000 of its flight attendants escalated Friday as CUPE turned down the airline's request to enter into government-directed arbitration, which would eliminate its right to strike and allow a third-party mediator to decide the terms of a new contract. Keelin Pringnitz of Ottawa was returning with her family from a European vacation when they became stranded at London's Heathrow Airport after flights were canceled. She said there was an option for the travelers in line to go to the United States, but they were told there wouldn't be any further assistance once they landed in the U.S. 'It didn't go over well with the line. Nobody really seemed interested. Everybody seemed a little bit amused almost at the suggestion, or exasperated, because it is a bit ridiculous to offer to take stranded passengers to a different country to strand them there,' she said. Montreal resident Alex Laroche, 21, and his girlfriend had been saving since Christmas for their European vacation. Now their $8,000 trip with nonrefundable lodging is in doubt. They had a Saturday night flight to Nice, France, booked. Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr has said it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. Flight attendants walked off the job around 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday. Around the same time, Air Canada said it would begin locking flight attendants out of airports. Ian Lee, associate professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business, noted earlier that the government frequently intervenes in transportation strikes. 'They will intervene to bring the strike to an end. Why? Because it has happened 45 times from 1950 until now,' Lee said. 'It is all because of the incredible dependency of Canadians.' Canada is the second-largest country in the world geographically, and flying is often the only viable option. 'We're so huge a country and it's so disruptive when there is a strike of any kind in transportation,' Lee said. The government forced the country's two major railroads into arbitration with their labor union last year during a work stoppage. The union for the rail workers is suing, arguing that the government is removing a union's leverage in negotiations. The Business Council of Canada has urged the government to impose binding arbitration in this case, too. Hajdu said her Liberal government is not anti-union, saying it is clear the two sides are at an impasse. Passengers whose travel is affected will be eligible to request a full refund on the airline's website or mobile app, according to Air Canada. The airline said it would also offer alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign airlines when possible. But it warned that it could not guarantee immediate rebooking because flights on other airlines are already full 'due to the summer travel peak.' Laroche said he considered booking new flights with a different carrier, but that most of them are nearly full and cost more than double the $3,000 he and his girlfriend paid for their original tickets. Laroche said that he was initially upset over the union's decision to go on strike, but that he had a change of heart after reading about the key issues at the center of the contract negotiations, including the issue of wages. 'Their wage is barely livable,' Laroche said. Air Canada and the CUPE union have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. Both sides say they remain far apart on the issue of pay and the unpaid work flight attendants do when planes aren't in the air. 'We are heartbroken for our passengers. Nobody wants to see Canadians stranded or anxious about their travel plans, but we cannot work for free,' Natasha Stea, an Air Canada flight attendant and local union president, said before the government intervention was announced. The attendants are about 70% women. Stea said Air Canada pilots, who are mostly men, received a significant raise last year, and she questioned whether flight attendants are getting fair treatment. The airline's latest offer included a 38% increase in total compensation, including benefits and pensions over four years, that it said 'would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada.' But the union countered, saying the proposed 8% raise in the first year didn't go far enough because of inflation. 'We're the national carrier and we have people operating in poverty. Like, that's disgusting, that's very problematic,' Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, said at a news conference. Gillies and Yamat write for the Associated Press and reported from Toronto and Las Vegas, respectively.
