
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
What do teens and tweens want for the holidays? E-bikes, gift cards and lip tints. - 2
The Rhythms of the Street: Shipping's Tune in the Economy's Symphony - 3
Purchases of iPhone 17 Pro soar across Gaza amid 'limited' humanitarian aid - 4
Gauging the Upsides and downsides of Visas: A Complete Aide - 5
Space Condos to Lift Your Metropolitan Living
Changes to CDC website spark debate over autism and vaccine misinformation
Journey Travel Objections for Your Next Experience
Figure out What Experience Level Means for Medical caretaker Compensation Dealings
Early Thanksgiving week forecast: Where Americans can expect cold, rain and snow for the holiday
Step by step instructions to Pick the Right Dental specialist for Your Dental Inserts Technique
'Israel has the right to continue its attacks,' Lebanese Foreign Minister announces
Savvy Watches: Which One Is Appropriate for You?
This Overlooked Predator Is Running Out of Time—Why Conservationists Are Racing to Save the Striped Hyena
Wegovy maker Novo sharpens consumer focus with board role for Mars CEO













