
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
Novo Nordisk justifies reasoning behind failed GLP-1 Alzheimer's trials - 2
A photographer finds thousands of dinosaur footprints near Italian Winter Olympic venue - 3
The most effective method to Plan an Incineration Administration: A Bit by bit Guide. - 4
Russia earning billions from Hormuz blockade, German trade body says - 5
Tatiana Schlossberg's diagnosis puts spotlight on leukemia: What to know
Kona SUV: The Courageous Minimized That is Catching Hearts Around the world
Tuesday, April 7. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine
13 must-see moon events in 2026: Eclipses, supermoons, conjunctions and more
Artemis 2 astronauts head for the moon after make-or-break engine burn (video)
Inside The Design-Forward Wellness Hotel Marking A New Chapter In Medellín
Volcanic eruption led to the Black Death, new research suggests
Figure out How to Remain Persuaded During Your Internet based Degree Program
Find the Lively Food Markets of South America
OPEC’s No. 2 Producer Burns Its Own Gas—Then Buys Iran’s













