Innospace Secures Launch License for First Commercial Vehicle ‘HANBIT-NANO’

Innospace, a private space launch vehicle company, announced on the 20th that it has received the nation’s first private commercial launch license from the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). With this approval, Innospace has completed all necessary procedures for the inaugural launch of HANBIT-NANO and has begun final preparations.
Innospace has set the launch window for the HANBIT-NANO SPACEWARD mission from October 28 to November 28 (four weeks, Brazil time).
The launch window refers to the period during which the launch can actually take place. Originally set from October 28 to November 7, the window was extended to November 28 by adding a reserve period, based on launch readiness, mission safety, and scheduling coordination with the Brazilian Air Force. The specific launch date and time will be determined in consultation with the Brazilian Air Force, taking into account weather conditions, technical checks, and operational factors during this period.
The launch will take place at the Alcântara Launch Center, operated by the Brazilian Air Force, using a launch platform developed by Innospace.
The HANBIT-NANO SPACEWARD mission goes beyond a demonstration launch, marking the first commercial flight to deliver actual customer satellites and payloads into a 300 km low Earth orbit (LEO). Through this mission, Innospace will transport a total of eight regular payloads—including small satellites for orbit insertion and non-separating experimental devices—plus one branding model, under launch service contracts with five domestic and international clients from Brazil, India, and Korea. The regular payloads include five small satellites for practical purposes such as climate and environmental data collection, technology development, and education, as well as three experimental payloads for new technology verification and data acquisition in space. Additionally, Innospace, in collaboration with BREWGURU, will send a special branding model into space, symbolizing the pioneering spirit of the new space era.
Soojong Kim, CEO of Innospace, stated, “This launch license is significant as it officially recognizes that we have met all national requirements for safety, mission capability, environmental, and security standards, and that we are the first domestic private company to be granted legal and technical credibility for commercial launches. The SPACEWARD mission is not simply a flight test, but a historic milestone marking our entry into the commercial launch market by transporting customer satellites and payloads into space. Together with our entire team, we will do our utmost to ensure a safe and successful mission.”
A government delegation from KASA will visit the site during the inaugural HANBIT-NANO commercial launch to strengthen Korea-Brazil space cooperation and oversee launch safety management. This collaboration and support are expected to provide a crucial foundation for expanding international partnerships and enhancing credibility as a domestic private company pursuing commercialization.
The mission name ‘SPACEWARD’ for the HANBIT-NANO launch embodies the slogan ‘Let’s Space Forward,’ signifying the first step toward space. This is Innospace’s first commercial launch mission using its independently developed two-stage launch vehicle, HANBIT-NANO, to deliver customer satellites into low Earth orbit.

jiany@fnnews.com Yeon Ji-an Reporter