South Korea’s first commercial space launch vehicle, the HANBIT-Nano, developed by Innospace, is set to launch on November 22.
The launch date was decided after the Korea AeroSpace Administration worked closely with the Brazilian Air Force to check weather conditions, ensure proper integration between the launch vehicle and satellite, confirm safety measures, and align with the local schedule for the launch. However, the date and time could change depending on the weather, as the launch is subject to adjustments.
The HANBIT-Nano is part of Innospace's SPACEWARD mission and will be South Korea’s first commercial space vehicle designed to launch client satellites and other payloads into low Earth orbit, approximately 300 kilometers above Earth.
Innospace has already secured contracts with five clients from Brazil, India, and South Korea. The HANBIT-Nano will carry a total of eight payloads, including one commemorative branded payload.
The HANBIT-Nano is a two-stage space launch vehicle that stands 21.8 meters tall and has a 1.4-meter diameter. It is powered by a 25-ton thrust hybrid rocket engine in the first stage and a 3-ton thrust liquid methane engine in the second stage. The launch will occur at the Alcantara Launch Center in Brazil.
Executive Statement
According to Innospace CEO Kim Soo-jong, the SPACEWARD mission will be the first step for Innospace to enter the commercial stage with its own technologies and prove its competitiveness in the global commercial launch market. They will make sure all remaining procedures are prepared thoroughly and spare no efforts until the final moment to ensure the launch is successfully carried out.