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Startup Hypersonica Claims Mach 6 Test in Norway, a First for Private European Hypersonics

The German‑British firm reports its unarmed HS1 demonstrator validates a faster, lower‑cost path to a sovereign European capability by 2029.

Das Münchner Start-Up Hypersonica hat nach Unternehmensangaben am 3. Februar die erste europäische Hyperschallrakete getestet. Der Prototyp hob demnach ohne Sprengkopf vom norwegischen Weltraumbahnhof Andøya ab und erreichte eine Geschwindigkeit von 7.400 Stundenkilometern. (zu dpa: «Münchner Start-up testet Hyperschallrakete»)
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Overview

  • Hypersonica says the HS1 prototype launched on February 3 from the Andøya site in Norway and flew roughly 300 kilometers at about Mach 6.
  • The vehicle was unarmed and flown as a technology demonstrator to gather flight data rather than as an operational weapon.
  • The company states it is the first privately financed European outfit to achieve such a hypersonic test milestone.
  • Hypersonica reports a €23.3 million Series A round backed by General Catalyst, Plural and Germany’s public innovation agency Sprind.
  • The Munich‑based startup operates with a UK subsidiary, is participating in a £1 billion UK hypersonic programme framework, and targets manoeuvrable systems designed to be harder to intercept by 2029.