South Korean Startup Innospace Aims for Historic First Commercial Launch After Three Delays

South Korean space startup Innospace is set to launch the nation’s first-ever commercial orbital rocket today, a high-stakes attempt that follows three challenging postponements. If successful, the launch of the Hanbit-Nano rocket from Brazil will mark a pivotal moment for South Korea’s burgeoning private space industry.

According to company officials, the Hanbit-Nano rocket is scheduled to lift off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil at 3:45 p.m. Monday (local time). The mission's primary objective is to deploy eight payloads, including five satellites, into a 300-kilometer low orbit. A success would make Innospace the first private South Korean company to ever place a customer's satellite into orbit.

The two-stage vehicle is powered by a 25-ton thrust hybrid engine for its first stage, with a liquid methane and oxygen engine for the second stage.

However, the road to the launchpad has been turbulent. The launch, originally slated for November 22, was pushed back three times due to a defect in avionics electronics and later an issue with a fuel tank. For today's attempt, weather remains a key uncertainty. "The exact launch time is expected to change depending on weather conditions," a company official said, adding that "the launch will take place when there is no rain."

Innospace's launch is more than a technical milestone; it's a crucial test for South Korea's ambition to become a serious player in the global 'New Space' economy, a market dominated by American giants like SpaceX. A successful mission would not only validate Innospace's hybrid engine technology but also signal to global investors that South Korea’s private sector is ready to compete for a slice of the lucrative satellite launch market. This attempt, regardless of its outcome, signifies a critical shift from government-led projects to a dynamic, commercially-driven space ecosystem.