
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
False fuel prices in fabricated graphics circulate in Malaysia as Iran war continues - 2
Doulas play essential roles in reproductive health care – and more states are beginning to recognize it - 3
Tech for Wellbeing: Applications and Devices for a Better You - 4
The Ascent of Robots: Occupations That Man-made brainpower Might Dispense with - 5
The race to mine the moon is on – and it urgently needs some clear international rules
Sought-After Extravagance Ocean side Objections for a Lovely Escape
ISS astronaut snaps stunning nighttime photo of Florida and Cuba | Space photo of the day for Dec. 29, 2025
Figure out How to Ascertain the Restitution Time frame for Your Sunlight based chargers
Is 'Veronica Mars' about to be your new binge-watch? It's now streaming on Netflix.
ISS astronaut evacuation shouldn't interfere with upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission, NASA chief says
Alix Earle built trust by sharing her acne woes. Now her skin care line is raising questions.
Wedding Guest Outraged That Bride and Groom, Who Are in Their 60s and Have Both Been Married Before, Registered for Gifts
Kate Middleton and Prince William unveil annual family Christmas card photo with George, Charlotte and Louis
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides emergency grants to families displaced by Iran war










