S. Korea’s first commercial orbital launch undergoes tech issues

(MENAFN) South Korea’s inaugural attempt at a commercially operated orbital launch was postponed on Saturday after engineers identified technical complications, according to statements from the private aerospace firm behind the mission.

The startup’s Hanbit-Nano rocket had been set to depart from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil earlier that day. However, the launch was halted shortly before liftoff, with the company announcing the delay in an online statement.

"The issue requires additional technical review related to the functionality of the second-stage liquid methane engine tank filling valve," the company explained. "A new launch attempt within the launch window will be determined following coordination with the Brazilian Air Force."

The mission had originally been scheduled to take place last Wednesday. The Hanbit-Nano is a two-stage launch vehicle engineered to deploy multiple payloads into space, including five satellites, placing them into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 300 kilometers.

As outlined in reports, the rocket’s first stage relies on a hybrid engine producing 25 tons of thrust, while the upper stage operates using a liquid methane and liquid oxygen propulsion system.

If the launch is ultimately successful, the mission would mark a milestone for South Korea’s private space sector, making Innospace the first domestic commercial company to deliver a customer-owned satellite into orbit.

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