Grahaa to launch Solaras S2 satellite on Hanbit-Nano rocket

New Delhi: Bengaluru-based New Space startup Grahaa is launching its Solaras S2 technology demonstration nanosatellite with the Hanbit-Nano rocket developed by Korea-based Innospace from the Alcântara Space Center (CEA) in Brazil. The mission is called ‘Spaceward’, with a launch window between 28 October and 28 November. The launch vehicle will carry a total of eight payloads on board from India, Brazil and South Korea, five of which are small satellites that will separate from the rocket, while the remaining three will remain on the upper stage.

The Hanbit-Nano is a 21.7 m tall two-stage to orbit rocket capable of delivering 90 kg of payloads to an altitude of 500 km.

This is the first time that a private company from South Korea has been cleared to launch an orbital flight by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). Innospace is working closely with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) as well as the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for the launch. Founder and CEO of Innospace, Soojong Kim said, “This authorization demonstrates that Hanbit-Nano has met all requirements for safety, mission capability, environmental and security standards, officially recognizing its technical and legal reliability as the first commercial launch vehicle approved for launch by a South Korean private company.