
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
6 Eyewear Brands Worth Purchasing - 2
6 Famous Urban communities for Shopping on the planet - 3
'Stranger Things' series finale trailer shows Hawkins gang gearing up for last battle with Vecna - 4
I visited the largest collection of public telescopes in the US in Oregon's high desert, and the dark skies blew me away - 5
Congo declares its latest Ebola outbreak over, after 43 deaths
Without evidence, CDC changes messaging on vaccines and autism
Step by step instructions to Keep up with Ideal Oral Cleanliness at Home
Geminid meteors streak under green sky | Space photo of the day for Dec. 19, 2025
Explosions heard across Tehran after IDF announces wave of strikes on regime terror targets
From blowouts to big interiors, ‘Tuscan Mom’ style is Gen Z’s answer to beige burnout
Vote In favor of Your #1 Compelling Female Producer
The Delight of Perusing: Book Proposals for Each Class
Oil magnate’s Venezuela detainment spooks industry
Eleven arrested over mass shooting in South Africa tavern













