Starting on November 23, a series of rockets developed by Korean space startups and major corporations will launch in South Korea. This marks a shift from government-led space development to a performance test of privately-led launch vehicles.
Industry sources reported on Tuesday that Innospace is set to attempt its first commercial launch using the Hanbit Nano rocket from Brazil’s Alcântara Space Center at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST) on November 22.
Independently developed by Innospace, the Hanbit Nano can deliver a 90-kilogram (198-pound) payload to a 500-kilometer (311-mile) sun-synchronous orbit. This compact two-stage rocket stands 21.8 meters tall (71.5 feet) with a 1.4 meter diameter (4.6 feet). A single 25-ton-thrust hybrid rocket engine powers its first stage, while the second stage uses a 3-ton-thrust liquid methane engine.
Although not yet at full operational scale, Innospace has already validated the first stage’s performance through previous launches. In 2023, the company launched the Hanbit TLV test vehicle from Brazil’s Alcântara Space Center. This test flight, which used only the first stage equipped with a 15-ton-thrust hybrid engine, verified data transmission and attitude control.
While modest in scale with an 18-kilogram (40-pound) payload capacity, the Hanbit Nano launch on the 23rd marks a significant milestone as the company’s first paid commercial mission. The rocket will carry five satellites for clients, including the Brazilian Space Agency and India’s GRAHA Space, as well as three experimental payloads.
Korean and Brazilian authorities have completed thorough checks on launch procedures, safety protocols, and integrated operations systems. Although weather conditions may affect timing, the company says final preparations are underway with care.
In contrast to Innospace’s commercial venture, the upcoming fourth launch of Nuri is part of a research and development program overseen by the Korea Aerospace Administration. The program began in 2022 and aims to enhance the reliability of the domestically developed Nuri rocket through six launches by 2027.
This launch is notable because private company Hanwha Aerospace is leading the system integration process, a role previously held by the government-funded Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Hanwha obtained full technology for Nuri’s design, manufacturing, and launch operations through a transfer agreement with KARI in July.
Scheduled for November 27, the Nuri launch follows a 2.5-year hiatus and will carry nearly double the previous payload, approaching 1 ton (about 2,200 pounds). As Nuri’s first night launch, it introduces additional challenges.
However, a successful launch would validate Hanwha’s mastery of Nuri technology. The company is gradually expanding its launch operations team to facilitate the ongoing technology transfer.
Upon completion of the six planned launches by 2027, Nuri is expected to transition from R&D to full commercial status. However, its launch costs remain a significant hurdle, currently about 10 times those of competitors like SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
As Hanwha aims to commercialize Nuri, improving its economic viability is crucial. Industry experts recommend expanding payload fairings, optimizing designs for weight reduction, and demonstrating capabilities for inclined orbit launches to attract military interest. The space agency is seeking budget approval for a seventh launch to support these enhancements.