Innospace Test Launches HANBIT-TLV From Brazil Successfully

South Korean rocket startup Innospace has successfully launching its HANBIT-TLV suborbital rocket from Brazil's Alcântara Space Center for the first time.

The rocket lifted off at 1:52 am EDT, carrying a Brazilian inertial navigation system called SISNAV.

Innospace's self-developed hybrid rocket engine powered the 16.3-meter, single-stage rocket, which used liquid oxygen and paraffin-based propellants. The rocket engine burned stably for 106 seconds before falling to a predesignated landing site after flying for four and a half minutes. The company called the flight a success, although it did not disclose the rocket's peak altitude.

Innospace plans to scale up the hybrid motor used in the HANBIT-TLV into a small orbital launch vehicle, Hanbit-Nano, a two-stage small satellite launcher designed to carry up to a 50-kilogram payload to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Hanbit-Nano's first stage will be powered by a 15-ton-thrust hybrid engine tested in the launch, while a 3-ton engine under development will power its upper stage. Innospace is aiming for Hanbit-Nano's commercial debut in 2024.

Innospace signed a deal last year to use Brazil's Alcântara Space Center for five years and is currently in negotiations with Norway's Andøya Spaceport. It is also looking for another launch site in Asia to cater to regional customers. Innospace CEO and founder Kim Soo-jong said the primary customers for Hanbit-Nano include cubesat-focused startups and research institutes in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

In December 2022, Innospace raised 20 billion won, roughly $15 million USD, in a Series B Bridge round led by local venture capital firm Korea Investment Partners. The company has raised a total of 55.2 billion won ($42.1 million USD) since 2019 and is working with Korea-based Mirae Asset Securities toward an initial public offering as soon as next year.