InnoSpace released a video regarding the first test flight of the suborbital rocket Sebit. This launch took place on August 19th at the Alcântara Launch Center (CLA), located in the state of Maranhão.
However, the mission was interrupted approximately 35 seconds after liftoff. Initially, the rocket began flying as planned, but subsequently deviated from its established trajectory. Due to this situation, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) activated the Flight Termination System. The vehicle fell into a predetermined maritime zone, without causing injuries or damage to local structures.
The footage released by the South Korean company shows the process of transporting Sebit to the CLA, the final preparations before the launch, the countdown, the moment of liftoff, and the team's reaction immediately after the event.
Although the termination was premature, the mission generated valuable data about various parts of the rocket and the launch operation. Records of information were collected which InnoSpace is now analyzing to understand what happened during the brief flight seconds. The company also plans to confirm the altitude reached, the distance traveled, and the total duration of the mission.
In a post-launch statement, the company declared that although the flight ended, the testing process continues through data analysis. Kim Soo-jong, CEO of InnoSpace, informed shareholders that the gathered data will be used in the investigation to determine the cause of the deviation and define the necessary adjustments to the design, aiming to improve the stability and operational reliability of Sebit.
This Sebit launch represents the first operation of this type at CLA since the HANBIT-Nano explosion, which occurred in December 2025. In that previous incident, the rocket showed an anomaly shortly after leaving the platform and disintegrated in the air, with no casualties. The investigation of that accident pointed to a sealing failure in the combustion chamber, resulting in the leakage of combustion gases about 33 seconds after liftoff and subsequent structural rupture.
Additionally, the Sebit test marked the first commercial contract for ALADA (Brazilian Aerospace Projects Company S.A.), an entity created in June 2025 with the purpose of developing aerospace projects and commercially exploring Brazilian launch centers.
InnoSpace plans a new attempt with HANBIT-Nano in November 2026, departing from Alcântara. However, this launch is still subject to several technical, operational, and regulatory phases, in addition to weather conditions and safety requirements.
The location of CLA, close to the Equator Line, offers advantages for certain launches, as it allows taking advantage of the Earth's greater rotational speed in that region, which can reduce the amount of fuel needed to reach certain orbits. Furthermore, the area allows for different orbital inclinations and has low population density around it.