INNOSPACE (462350), a private space launch vehicle company, plans to conduct the first test flight of its multipurpose suborbital rocket SEBIT on the 19th of next month and the follow-up launch of its small satellite launch vehicle HANBIT-Nano in November.
According to the industry on the 23rd, INNOSPACE adjusted the schedule for SEBIT's first test flight to August 19, reflecting the reorganization of the Alcantara Space Center operating system and local launch schedules following the establishment of ALADA, a state-owned enterprise dedicated to aerospace projects under the Brazilian government, in June last year.
The target schedule for the HANBIT-Nano follow-up launch was also adjusted from the third quarter to November. This was the result of a comprehensive consideration of the launch vehicle manufacturing and verification schedule reflecting the official investigation results of Brazil's Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), the launch permit review process of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), and local launch operation schedules.
SEBIT's first test flight is a development process to secure flight data and operational experience needed to provide future suborbital testing and verification services. Through this test flight, INNOSPACE plans to verify the rocket's flight performance and operational stability and to establish a launch service system for the future commercialization of SEBIT.
In the follow-up launch of HANBIT-Nano, INNOSPACE plans to verify a design and quality control system supplemented by an analysis of the causes of the early termination of the first commercial launch mission. Earlier, INNOSPACE carried out the SPACEWARD mission, HANBIT-Nano's first commercial launch, at 10:13 p.m. on December 22 last year, but terminated the mission early due to a rupture of the combustion chamber.
This launch will carry INNOSPACE's own test satellite INNOSAT-0 to comprehensively verify not only satellite development capabilities but also the launch vehicle's mission performance and system operational stability at each flight stage.
INNOSPACE is currently preparing for the SEBIT and HANBIT-Nano launches in cooperation with related agencies including Brazil's state-owned enterprise ALADA, the air force, and the space administration. HANBIT-Nano began maritime transport of launch vehicle parts and related equipment to Brazil early last month, and on-site installation and various procedures for launch operations are underway at the Alcantara Space Center. The final launch date will be confirmed reflecting preparation conditions, approval from related agencies, and weather conditions.
Kim Soo-jong, CEO of INNOSPACE, said, "Going forward, we will transparently share key matters related to the launches, and do our best to faithfully carry out the necessary preparations and procedures in line with the adjusted schedule, so as to stably advance the SEBIT flight test and the HANBIT-Nano launch."
