
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
Current Chateaus: Advancement and Style - 2
Audits of 6 Specialty Mixed drinks - 3
Sahel coups push Africa to top of global democratic declines, report finds - 4
Dr. Vinay Prasad's memo raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccines and pediatric mortality - 5
Which salad do you believe is a definitive group pleaser? Vote!
The Tiny Channel Island With 65 Residents That Chefs And Foodies Go Out Of Their Way To Visit
Understanding Preschool Projects: An Extensive Aide
See the metal guts of a satellite in this wild X-ray view | Space photo of the day for Dec. 4, 2025
Starbucks' new 'Bearista' cup is causing a stir — and is being listed on eBay for $600
ACA subsidies latest: Making sense of what's happening with health care after Republicans revolt, forcing a vote on funding extension
Bond Girl Ursula Andress’ $23 Million Fortune Once ‘Fraudulently Misappropriated’ Was Allegedly Found
Etymological Investigation Disclosed: A Survey of \Dominating New Tongues\ Language Learning Application
German Easter peace marches draw tens of thousands
Aurora chaser catches a fox basking in the glow of Finland's legendary 'fox fires' (photos)












