The launch of the Hanbit-Nano rocket, from the Alcântara Launch Center (CLA), in Maranhão, was postponed once again after a problem was detected in a valve on the equipment. According to the South Korean company Innospace, which developed the space vehicle, a new launch attempt should take place on Sunday (21), at 2:45 pm.
This is the first commercial launch of a space vehicle from national territory.
Initially, the launch was scheduled to take place on Wednesday (17). However, during the final stage of investigating the systems, an anomaly was detected in part of the fuel oxidizer cooling system. The company then decided to postpone the launch to be able to change the components.
The launch forecast then moved to 3:45 pm this Friday. In the early afternoon, however, it was postponed again to 9:30 pm. At around 8:30 pm, Innospace announced that, due to the detection of technical problems, the launch this Friday had been cancelled.
According to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which is conducting the launch operation, the window for a new attempt extends until December 22nd.
The space vehicle, measuring 21.8 meters long, 1.4 meters in diameter, and weighing 20 tons, will carry satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), at an altitude of approximately 300 km and an inclination of 40 degrees.
A total of eight payloads are inside the hood at the top of the launch vehicle: five small satellites for placement in orbit and three experimental devices, developed by institutions and companies from Brazil and India. The equipment’s propulsion is hybrid, with solid and liquid fuel.
