Private space launch corporations INNOSPACE said on the 21st that it will adjust the first commercial launch vehicle HANBIT-Nano SPACEWARD launch date from Nov. 22 to Dec. 17 local time in Brazil. The launch window is from Dec. 16 to 22 (local time).
INNOSPACE and the Brazilian Air Force closely inspected core functions essential for mission execution and safety, including transmission of flight video and telemetry/navigation data in an aircraft-based flight environment, flight position tracking, and receipt of flight termination system signals. The test confirmed that interlinking among key functions was operating normally, but intermittent minor abnormal signals were observed in some segments. The two organizations agreed to conduct additional precision inspections and supplementary analysis to further strengthen the launch success rate and mission reliability.
Colonel Rogério Moreira Cazo, the Brazilian Air Force's overall director for the HANBIT-Nano SPACEWARD mission, said, "The Brazilian Air Force, as the launch center, is maintaining all facilities, personnel and systems at a high level and operating them normally," and emphasized, "This adjustment to the launch schedule is a common procedure in the operation of space launch vehicles, and it is not a step back but a technical verification opportunity secured for a more stable and robust launch."
Chief Executive Kim Su-jong of INNOSPACE said, "This decision is based on the data analysis results provided by the launch center and reflects the time needed for the signal processing system to meet the reliability standards required for the mission," and added, "In particular, because the intermittent abnormal phenomenon in communication signals identified during the avionics inspection using an aircraft could be related to the launch mission and public safety, we will work closely with the Brazilian Air Force to thoroughly implement necessary corrective measures and responsibly complete the launch mission."
Meanwhile, INNOSPACE successfully completed the HANBIT-Nano launch rehearsal (WDR) conducted over two days on the 18th–19th (local time) at the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil. From the process of moving the launch vehicle from the assembly building to the launch pad, to launch preparation, verification of the launch sequence, and the post-launch pad recovery stage, the test reproduced the entire ground procedure identically to the actual launch and confirmed that the readiness of the launch vehicle and ground systems was all good. The procedure was jointly carried out by INNOSPACE engineers and Brazilian Air Force officials.