
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
'Wuthering Heights' trailer features Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in a steamy forbidden romance - 2
Elvis Presley's Infamous Pantera Shooting - 3
Sunken warship found off Danish coast after 225 years in ‘remarkable’ discovery - 4
7 Espresso Machines for Home Baristas - 5
Why Cannes Is the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Destination in the South of France’s Off-Season
Architect Frank Gehry has died: See his most iconic buildings
Figure out How to Streamline Eco-friendliness in Your Volvo XC40
Vote In favor of Your Favored Shimmering Water
Get Cooking: 15 Speedy and Heavenly Recipes for Occupied Individuals
Discovering a true sense of harmony: Contemplation and Care Practices
Olivia Rodrigo announces 3rd album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,' set to debut in June
Scientists dove hundreds of feet into the ocean and found creatures no human has ever seen. Our trash beat us there
When fake data is a good thing – how synthetic data trains AI to solve real problems
Luigi Mangione‘s lawyers say Bondi’s death penalty decision was tainted by conflict of interest











