Innospace, Brazilian authorities to jointly investigate failed rocket launch

This file photo from a YouTube broadcast shows flames after the Hanbit-Nano rocket lifted off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil, Dec. 22, 2025. Yonhap

Korean space startup Innospace said Monday it has kicked off a joint investigation with Brazilian authorities into last month's failed launch of the Hanbit-Nano rocket in an effort to determine the exact cause of the failure.

The Hanbit-Nano, Korea's first commercial orbital rocket, lifted off from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil on Dec. 22 (Brazil time) but crashed to the ground about 30 seconds later due to an abnormality in the vehicle.

The rocket crashed within a designated ground safety zone, with no casualties or additional damage reported.

Innospace said it will work with the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center, or CENIPA, under the Brazilian Air Force to conduct scientific analysis into the factors that led to the failure.

CENIPA has noted that the investigation aims to improve the safety of future launches and is not intended to determine legal liability, according to the company.

The joint investigation will conduct a comprehensive review of flight data and other relevant records.

"The data gathered from the flight and the investigation results will improve the technological completeness of the Hanbit-Nano rocket and enhance launch reliability and success rates in the future," Innospace said in a release.