By Stephanie Dwilson | 2025-12-16

South Korea’s pioneering satellite launch service company INNOSPACE is preparing for the first commercial flight of its HANBIT-Nano rocket, slated to take place within the December 17 to 22 launch window.

The HANBIT-Nano's launch, from the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil, is reflective of South Korea’s expanding footprint in the private space industry, and INNOSPACE’s push to compete on a global scale.

The SPACEWARD mission will deploy five customer satellites, including eight registered payloads from several countries, including India and Brazil.

The payloads consist of two small satellites from Universidade Federal do Maranhão in Brazil; one small satellite from India’s Grahaa SPACE; and two small satellites from the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB).

They include one inertial navigation system unit from AEB; one satellite navigation system from Brazil’s Castro Leite Consultoria (CLC); and one inertial navigation system unit from CLC.

"The SPACEWARD mission marks a pivotal step for INNOSPACE as we enter the commercialization phase of our independently developed launch vehicle technology," said INNOSPACE founder and CEO Soojong Kim.

"Our team is making every effort to complete all remaining preparations with precision, ensuring a safe and successful launch that demonstrates our competitiveness in the global space launch market."

INNOSPACE revealed its SPACEWARD mission patch on December 10, explaining the meaning behind the various design elements in a post on social media.

"This launch reflects our determination to open a new horizon in space access," the company said, noting that the patch's "space road" design element symbolizes "new possibilities for connection and expansion into space."

"From the design and development of the HANBIT-Nano launch vehicle to its lift-off and the success of our first mission, every step of the journey was born from a deep desire to go beyond limits and turn the impossible into possible," it said.

"We believe that our first step toward space will open a new horizon for the space industry and move humanity’s footsteps farther and deeper."

'Drive to push boundaries'

The HANBIT-Nano rocket is a two-stage vehicle that includes a 25 ton hybrid rocket engine in its first stage and a three ton liquid methane engine in its second stage. The rocket stands 21.8 meters tall.

According to the company, this hybrid propulsion setup prioritizes safety, efficiency, and flexibility -- vital for small satellite missions.

The launch was initially scheduled for a November 22 to December 17 window. But after minor signal irregularities were detected, it was postponed to the next window of December 16 to 22.

"In particular, the intermittent communication-signal irregularities observed during the aircraft-based avionics test are directly linked to mission execution and public safety," the INNOSPACE CEO said.

"We will work closely with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to rigorously implement all required actions and responsibly complete the launch mission."

Such delays are a "common procedure in space-launch operations," said HANBIT-Nano SPACEWARD campaign of FAB mission director Col. Rogério Moreira Cazo.

The goal is to create "an even safer and more robust launch," he said.

The Alcântara Space Center in Brazil, where the launch is taking place, has been operational since 1991, but only began to host private space launches in 2022.

It has distinguished Brazil as one of a small number of countries that can place private satellites in orbit, with its proximity to the equator making the launch center a valuable site for both government and commercial missions.