Innospace Suborbital Rocket "SEBIT" Set for Maiden Test Flight on the 20th

Final Rehearsal Completed at Brazil's Alcantara Space Center
Validating Flight Performance at Altitudes Below 100 km

Innospace, a private South Korean space company, is set to launch its independently developed multi-purpose suborbital rocket ‘SEBIT’ on its maiden test flight. After successfully passing the final rehearsal, the last hurdle before launch, preparations are now underway at the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil.

On the 14th (local time), Innospace announced on the 18th that it had completed the final rehearsal (WDR; Wet Dress Rehearsal) for SEBIT. The process, identical to the actual launch, included comprehensive inspections of propellant fueling, launch control systems, ground facilities, flight vehicle, and safety protocols.

Launch pad erection view of Innospace's multipurpose suborbital rocket 'Sebit'. On the 14th (local time), the final rehearsal (WDR) was completed, and the launch countdown for the first test flight has begun. Provided by Innospace

The target time for the first test flight is 3:45 p.m. local time in Brazil on the 19th, which corresponds to 3:45 a.m. on the 20th in Korea. The launch window is open from the 19th through the 28th, local time in Brazil.

Unlike orbital launch vehicles that deliver satellites into orbit, SEBIT is a single-stage suborbital rocket designed to transport payloads to altitudes below 100 kilometers, enabling technology testing and scientific research in high-altitude and microgravity environments. It is equipped with a 3-ton-class hybrid rocket engine.

This flight will conduct integrated validation of engine performance, flight characteristics, guidance, navigation and control, flight safety, and ground operations systems. Innospace plans to utilize the acquired flight data to promote its suborbital testing and validation service business, targeting sectors such as space, defense, biotechnology, and advanced materials.

Soojong Kim, CEO of Innospace, stated, "Based on the data and operational experience gained from this inaugural test flight, we will gradually refine and develop a mission-oriented suborbital testing and validation service business model."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.