
Dec 23 (Reuters) - South Korean satellite launch company Innospace on Monday launched the first commercial rocket from Brazil's Alcantara Space Center, a milestone for the firm and Brazilian aerospace ambitions that ended with a crash.
The HANBIT-Nano vehicle lifted off at 10:13 p.m. Brazil time (0113 GMT), five days later than originally scheduled.
Just two minutes after the launch, a live feed within the official livestream showed a message noting an "anomaly" was experienced during the flight. The livestream ended immediately afterward.
According to Brazil's air force, the rocket began its vertical trajectory as planned, but an issue prompted a crash into the ground. Officials and firefighters were sent to analyse the wreckage and the collision area, the air force added in a statement.
Innospace has not provided further information about the launch and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The firm's South Korea-listed shares fell about 24% in midday trading after the crash, the biggest intraday decline since August.
The launch was delayed from Wednesday after an anomaly in a cooling unit component of the first-stage oxidizer feed system during final inspections, and again on Friday for a few hours due to unfavourable weather conditions.
In a previous statement, Innospace said it replaced the component on the launch pad, allowing the Spaceward mission to proceed within its December 16-22 launch window. It was launching eight registered cargoes, including five small satellites, for undisclosed customers.
The Brazilian air force and space agency offered operational support for the launch in coordination with key agencies.
In March 2023, Innospace had launched its test vehicle HANBIT-TLV from the same facility in northeast Brazil to verify the performance of its 150 kN hybrid rocket engine.
(Reporting by Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Jamie Freed)
latest_posts
- 1
UK to hold fresh pork, other affected Spanish products at border amid African swine fever outbreak - 2
Australia’s post-Bondi crackdown accused of targeting pro-Palestinian voices - 3
Vaccine exemptions for religious or personal beliefs are rising across the U.S. - 4
A definitive Manual for Picking Electric Vehicle: Decision in favor of Your Number one - 5
Explainer-What has happened to the damaged spacecraft at China's space station?
Investigate the Excellence of Professional flowerbeds: A Virtual Local escort
Science is best communicated through identity and culture – how researchers are ensuring STEM serves their communities
A throat bone settles it - Nanotyrannus was not a juvenile T. rex
How to watch the ‘Wicked: One Wonderful Night’ special — now streaming
New images reveal interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS approaching Earth
Home Machine Basics: An Exhaustive Purchasing Guide
No injuries after blast at pro-Israel centre in the Netherlands
Miley Cyrus flashes a diamond ring on the red carpet, sparking engagement rumors with Maxx Morando: A timeline of their four-year relationship
Instructions to Pick the Right Tires for Your Slam 1500.












