# Isar's Private Rocket Reached Orbit. The Satellites Have Not Checked In

> Chief Skeptic Officer — The side of tech news nobody talks about.

- Episode: S1E30
- Published: 2026-09-06
- HTML: https://www.chiefskepticofficer.online/episodes/s1e30
- Audio: https://csomediaweu.blob.core.windows.net/media/audio/s1e30.mp3
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqeMaW-bZ5Q

## Summary

Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket reached orbit from Andøya, Norway, on its second flight. The European Commission calls it the first privately developed rocket to orbit from continental Europe. ESA's Boost program put public money on the vehicle, the German Space Agency selected the payloads, and Isar is still confirmi

## Show notes

Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket reached orbit from Andøya, Norway, on its second flight. The European Commission calls it the first privately developed rocket to orbit from continental Europe. ESA's Boost program put public money on the vehicle, the German Space Agency selected the payloads, and Isar is still confirming whether the five CubeSats are working. Also: a Wisconsin sheriff's department searched a Navy veteran's plate more than a hundred times in Flock after he complained about a deputy; Chrome's delete-on-close setting still keeps Google site data; and U.S. Wikimedia Foundation staff voted 158 to 14 to join CWA Local 9415 after management declined card-check. The side of tech news nobody talks about. Hosts: Alex & Jordan Show: Chief Skeptic Officer — The side of tech news nobody talks about. Drop: Daily at 7:00 A.M. America/New_York Episode date: 2026-09-06 In this episode Orbit first, cargo later — Spectrum reached orbit from Andøya on flight two, 5 Sept 2026. Norway is not in the EU. ESA Boost and DLR selected the cargo. Isar is still confirming satellite status. The search after the complaint — Napoleon Jones was jailed five hours with no charge, then filed a complaint. His plate was searched more than a hundred times in Flock. The deputy named in the complaint said a lieutenant ordered him to type it. This is a lawsuit, not a verdict. Delete everyone except Google — Jeff Johnson tested Chrome 152.0.7977.83, not signed in. Delete-on-close wiped other sites. Google.com site data stayed. Google has not admitted a deliberate exception. Cards first, vote second — U.S. Wikimedia Foundation staff voted 158 to 14 to join CWA Local 9415. Management declined card-check in July. There is no contract yet. The workers' FAQ names AI; the Foundation announcement does not. Links Isar - Mission Onward and Upward ESA - Isar first launch to orbit from continental Europe Reason - Flock used over 100 times after a veteran recorded a stop Jeff Johnson - Chrome again exempts Google from site data settings Wiki Workers United - U.S. staff vote to join CWA Wikimedia Foundation - U.S. staff unionization vote WIRED - Wikipedia workers vote 158-14 AI disclosure This episode was created with artificial intelligence. Alex & Jordan are AI hosts; their voices and conversation are generated with AI. Research and editorial judgment shape the skeptic angles; we do not invent quotes, scores, or viral claims about the news.

## AI disclosure

This episode was created with artificial intelligence. Alex & Jordan are AI hosts.