Domestic private space launch corporations INNOSPACE received Korea's first private commercial launch license from the Korea AeroSpace Administration. With this, INNOSPACE has completed all procedures for the first commercial launch of its independently developed small launch vehicle "HANBIT-Nano" and has entered full-scale launch preparations.
The launch has been named the "SPACEWARD" mission, carrying the meaning of moving toward space, and the launch window has been set for Oct. 28 to Nov. 28 (Brazil time). The window, initially planned through early November, was expanded to one month to allow coordination with the Brazilian Air Force and to respond to weather variables. The specific launch date and time will be finalized through consultations. The launch site is the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil, and it will proceed from a launch platform built by INNOSPACE.
This mission goes beyond a simple flight test and is the first commercial launch to place commercial satellites and experimental instruments into actual low Earth orbit (300 km). INNOSPACE will perform launch services contracted with five domestic and overseas customers in Brazil, India, and Korea, carrying a total of nine payloads: five small satellites, three new-technology experimental payloads, and one branding model. In particular, one symbolic branding model produced in collaboration with Korean liquor corporations Brewguru will also head to space.
Chief Executive Kim Su-jong said, "This launch license is a case in which a domestic private corporations officially earned recognition for commercial launch reliability for the first time by meeting all national requirements, including launcher stability, mission performance capability, and environmental and security standards," and emphasized, "It will be a first step toward full-fledged entry into the commercial market, going beyond mere technology demonstration."
Kim added, "From launcher development to obtaining the license, cooperation from related agencies such as the Korea AeroSpace Administration, Goheung County in South Jeolla Province, and fire and police authorities was a great help," and said, "INNOSPACE will continue to put safety and responsibility first and leap forward as a trusted launch service corporations in the global market."
For this launch, a government delegation from the Korea AeroSpace Administration will visit the site to strengthen cooperation between Korea and Brazil and to inspect the launch safety management system. INNOSPACE plans to use this opportunity to expand international partnerships and accelerate the commercialization of the private-led space industry.