
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
EU delays signing of Mercosur free trade deal - 2
What Middle East Conflict Could Mean For The World’s Largest Whale Shark Gathering - 3
Cocoa Prices Undercut Amid the Prospects of Abundant Supplies - 4
Lily Allen 2026 'West End Girl' arena tour: How to get tickets, prices and more - 5
If evolution is real, then why isn’t it happening now? An anthropologist explains that humans actually are still evolving
Top 20 Wellbeing and Wellness Applications for a Sound Way of life
Closets for Your Room: Plan and Utility Features
What will the Artemis 2 astronauts eat during their historic moon mission? (video)
Mount Everest Climbers 'Poisoned' by Guides Prompting Mass Helicopter Rescues in $20 Million Insurance Fraud Scheme, Police Say
Manual for Tracking down Spending plan Agreeable Travel Objections
Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks
Video Conferencing Instruments for Virtual Gatherings
Herzog, German Chancellor Merz discuss final Gaza hostage, Arrow 3 exchange in Jerusalem
Triumph’s Gorgeous, Super-Affordable and Approachable New Street Motos Share a Heart But Not a Soul













