INNOSPACE announced that it is targeting 3:00 p.m. on November 22 (Brazil time) for the launch of its first commercial launch vehicle ‘HANBIT-Nano’, as part of the SPACEWARD mission. The target launch date was determined following an on-site safety inspection by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) delegation and consultations with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Within the launch window of October 28 to November 28 (Brazil time), the target date was set after a comprehensive review of weather conditions, launch vehicle and satellite integration process, launch safety procedure, and operational readiness. Prior to launch, the Brazilian Air Force Meteorological Center will continue to provide real-time forecasts to verify the final conditions. The launch date and time may be adjusted accordingly, depending on on-site weather and operational status.
The SPACEWARD mission will deploy customer satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 300 km and an inclination of 40 degrees, while simultaneously performing experimental payload missions. A total of eight registered payloads, including five small satellites and three non-separating experimental devices, along with one symbolic branding model, will be aboard HANBIT-Nano. HANBIT-Nano is a two-stage launch vehicle, standing 21.8 meters tall with a diameter of 1.4 meters. It is equipped with a 25-ton hybrid rocket engine in the first stage and a 3-ton liquid methane engine in the second stage. The launch is scheduled to take place at the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil.
“The SPACEWARD mission marks a pivotal step for INNOSPACE as we enter the commercialization phase of our independently developed launch vehicle technology,” said Soojong Kim, Founder and CEO of INNOSPACE. “Our team is making every effort to complete all remaining preparations with precision, ensuring a safe and successful launch that demonstrates our competitiveness in the global space launch market.”
A delegation from the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) visited the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil from November 3 to 4, conducting a two-day on-site inspection in cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The delegation reviewed launch operation procedures, safety management systems, and the integrated operation framework. Through this process, INNOSPACE’s launch operations were verified for safety and reliability, and the company is now proceeding with final preparations, prioritizing mission stability above all. The mission name ‘SPACEWARD,’ conveys the spirit of “Let’s Space Forward,” symbolizing INNOSPACE’s first step toward space with its independently developed two-stage launch vehicle, HANBIT-Nano, carrying customer satellites into orbit.
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