
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
Doctor's orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week'21.12.2025 - 2
The most effective method to Pick the Best Material Organization: Insider Tips17.10.2023 - 3
Former school bus aide pleads guilty to assaulting 3 autistic students in Colorado05.01.2026 - 4
Former GLP-1 users regain lost weight after about 18 months, study says08.01.2026 - 5
4 Sound blocking Earphones for Prevalent Sound and Solace05.06.2024
Banks for High Fixed Store Rates: Augment Your Investment funds
People who talk with their hands seem more clear and persuasive – new research
Winona Ryder didn't take the 'Stranger Things' plot lightly. How 'otherworldly' grief and a kidnapping in her hometown informed her character.
Hezbollah claims right to respond to killing of top commander
Very good quality Greens All over The Planet
CDC clarifies stance on vaccines and autism, stating no evidence supports the link
West Antarctica’s history of rapid melting foretells sudden shifts in continent’s ‘catastrophic’ geology
Climbing Mount Everest: An Individual Victory
Innovative Versatility: Examples of overcoming adversity from Entrepreneurs













