
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
Benedict Cumberbatch takes on something even Sherlock can’t solve: male grief - 2
Satellite data reveals a huge solar storm in 2024 shrank Earth's protective plasma shield - 3
Grass Care Administrations for a Wonderful, Sound Yard - 4
6 Useful Home Espresso Machines - 5
Investigate These Retreats Well known With Seniors
A Republican elected governor in California? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds.
‘Serving is not just a place’: Bayside Church Granite Bay reimagines annual mission amid conflict in Mexico
Ober Gabelhorn glacier reveals remains of man missing for over three decades
Carrefour becomes first European retailer to offer shopping on ChatGPT
NASA will bring space station crew home early after medical issue
What to know about Jack Dorsey's new Vine revival, DiVine
Timex Gives Its Classic Affordable Field Watch a Tactical, Milspec Makeover
EU Commission prepares €90bn Ukraine loan despite Hungary's veto
Artemis 2 moon astronauts will try to recreate Apollo 8's historic 'Earthrise' photo during April 6 flyby












