
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
The most effective method to Redesign the Sound Framework in Your Smash 1500. - 2
6 Nations for Setting up camp - 3
Spain’s Picos de Europa: What to see and do in ‘the world’s most beautiful place’ - 4
Iran steps up executions as experts warn state killing being used to suppress political dissent - 5
7 Extraordinary Efficiency Applications for Experts
Warship sunk by British fleet, remains of sailor found after 225 years
Outside Lovers' Decision: Favored Climbing Rucksacks
Congolese rape survivors search in vain for medicine after USAID cuts
Nitty gritty Manual for Picking Agreeable Tennis shoes
Some are walking out. Some are shouting. Some are oblivious. How kids are reacting to THAT 'Wicked: For Good' scene
Robert Irwin on winning 'Dancing With the Stars' 10 years after sister Bindi: 'This was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more'
Step by step instructions to Prepare with Senior Protection for Inward feeling of harmony.
UN panel says Israel operating 'de facto policy of torture'
Artemis II astronauts find hidden Easter eggs as they close in on the moon












