Innospace, a South Korean launch startup, has announced it has received government approval for its first orbital launch attempt. This event is planned for as early as the end of October. The company stated on October 19 that the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) granted it a commercial launch authorization. It is the first such authorization given to a private company in South Korea. This authorization is the final approval needed for the inaugural launch of its Hanbit-Nano rocket.
The launch, named Spaceward, is scheduled within a window opening October 28 and running through November 28. It will take place from the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil. The mission will transport five small satellites from the Brazilian space agency AEB, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, and Indian startup Grahaa Space. Additionally, it will carry three payloads from AEB and Castro Leite Consultoria, which will remain attached to the rocket, alongside a "branding model item" – an empty aluminum can – from South Korean beverage company Brewguru.
"This authorization demonstrates that Hanbit-Nano has met all requirements for safety, mission capability, environmental and security standards, officially recognizing its technical and legal reliability as the first commercial launch vehicle approved for launch by a South Korean private company," said Soojong Kim, Innospace chief executive.
Although the launch is in Brazil, a KASA team will review safety systems on-site and “provide support for a stable and successful mission,” according to Innospace. This visit also aims to strengthen space cooperation between Brazil and South Korea.
Hanbit-Nano can place up to 90 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit from Alcântara. The two-stage rocket uses liquid oxygen and paraffin in the first stage, and a liquid oxygen/methane engine in the second stage. Innospace tested its hybrid propulsion technology in 2023 with the launch of Hanbit-TLV, a suborbital sounding rocket, also from Alcântara. The company said the test was successful.
Hanbit-Nano is the first in a family of launch vehicles. The Hanbit-Micro will add a second engine to the second stage and a kick stage using liquid oxygen and methane propellants, increasing payload performance to 170 kilograms. The larger Hanbit-Mini, is designed to place up to 1,300 kilograms into orbit.
Innospace went public in July 2024 on South Korea’s KOSDAQ exchange at an offering price of 43,300 won ($30.48). Shares closed Oct. 17 at 15,800 won but were up nearly 9% in early trading Oct. 20.