South Korean Startup Innospace to Launch Brazil's First Orbital Satellite from Alcântara
On November 22, South Korean startup Innospace will conduct Brazil's first orbital satellite launch from the Alcântara Launch Center, a historic milestone for the country's space program.
- • Scheduled first orbital satellite launch from Brazil on November 22 at 3 PM.
- • Launch conducted by South Korean startup Innospace using Hanbit-Nano rocket.
- • Launch site is Alcântara Launch Center operated by the Brazilian Air Force.
- • Alcântara previously experienced three failed orbital launch attempts of VLS-1 rockets, including a tragic fire in 2003.
- • Since 2003, Alcântara has hosted suborbital launches, with this being the first orbital attempt in over two decades.
Key details
On November 22 at 3 PM, Brazil is poised to witness its historic first orbital satellite launch from its own territory. The launch will be conducted by the South Korean startup Innospace using its Hanbit-Nano rocket.
The mission will take place at the Alcântara Launch Center (CLA) in the state of Maranhão, Brazil's primary space launch facility operated by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). This launch represents a significant milestone for Brazil's space ambitions, especially considering CLA's troubled past with orbital attempts. The center experienced three unsuccessful Satellite Launch Vehicle (VLS-1) launches in 1997, 1999, and 2003, the last attempt tragically resulting in a fire that killed 21 technicians and engineers and caused the cancellation of Brazil's VLS program.
Since then, CLA has only been used for suborbital launches, such as the 2022 launch of the VSB-30 sounding rocket. The upcoming Innospace project signals a new era, representing renewed momentum and international confidence in Alcântara's strategic geographic advantage for space missions.
This historic launch will potentially open opportunities for Brazil to develop its space industry further, leveraging international collaborations and reinforcing the Alcântara Launch Center as a key site for orbital launches in Latin America.
According to a November 16 report, this event is seen as a breakthrough for Brazil’s space sector and an important step toward Brazil’s increased participation in orbital satellite missions globally.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.