
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
Polls open in tense Uganda election amid widespread delays - 2
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' trailer: See Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon and Tom Holland in 1st look at movie - 3
Midlife weight gain can start long before menopause – but you can take steps early on to help your body weather the hormonal shift - 4
Step by step instructions to Choose the Right Internet based Degree Program for Your Future - 5
How did I get my own unique set of fingerprints?
Vote In favor of Your Favored Language Learning Applications
Ukraine's naval drones are gunning for Russia's 'shadow fleet.' A security source says a tanker just suffered a critical hit.
Computerized Domains d: A Survey of \Vivid Undertakings\ Computer generated Reality Game
Meet the Stars of the Feline World: Well known Pet Feline Varieties
Protester climbs on to balcony of Iranian embassy in London
Figure out How to Store Your Gold Ventures: A Thorough Aide safely
Mali and Canadian miner Barrick agree to resolve tax dispute, ending 2-year standoff
Hot peppers sent him to the ER. Two years later, a ‘ghost bill’ arrived.
Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project, dies at 51












