A South Korean company plans to launch 20 times in Alcantara from 2023

INNOSPACE, a South Korean company, is planning to carry out a series of satellite launches at the facilities of the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), in Maranhão. The first should be two test launches, scheduled between 2022 and 2023. Then, starting next year, the company plans to launch another 20 commercial ones. According to INNOSPACE representatives, the first is scheduled to take place between October and November this year.

Founded in 2017, INNOSPACE is developing missile technologies, and launch vehicle materials will be sent for assembly in Brazil. Last year, the company analyzed the possibility of starting work in the country, and began negotiating with DCTA (Department of Aerospace Science and Technology), in São José dos Campos (SP), to test missiles and new technologies at the Alcantara Center.

Through a decree issued in May 2020, INNOSPACE was authorized by the Brazilian Space Agency and the Ministry of Science and Technology to operate space launch activities in Brazil until 2026. “It is important to see confirmation of interest and movement of companies focused on exploring the fastest growing market niche: small satellites and infinitesimals in low orbits,” said Carlos Mora, President of AEB.

INNOSPACE has an office located in the Technology Park in São José dos Campos and is currently negotiating a five-year operating contract, which can be extended for another five years. Therefore, if all goes well, the company is expected to be able to put satellites weighing up to 500 kg into orbit in less than six years.

Outlook for launches in Alcântara

According to Elcio Jerónimo de Oliveira, head of business at INNOSPACE in Brazil, the company’s smallest rocket can launch a satellite weighing up to 50 kg for nearly US$2 million. According to him, Alcântara offers good prospects due to the current situation in the industry: in the next ten years, the market for new launch vehicles could generate a trillion dollars with the launch of small satellites.

In addition, there is also the potential of basic facilities, which makes it a very suitable location for launches. President Mora noted that “Espaceporto de Alcântara has very favorable geographical, logistical and scheduling conditions, especially for projects that are proposed to be innovative and competitive, as is the case with INNOSPACE”. “We hope that this type of initiative will promote Alcântara’s effective entry into the international space transportation market.”

In South Korea, the company provides services for civilian and military areas, but the contract for the use of Alcântara provides only for commercial satellite launch activities, with no prospects for the use of war materials. In the case of military targets, the company will be able to use only its launch vehicles to transmit military communications satellites, which are also useful for requests from the Federal Police and assistance in the event of natural disasters.

source: CBN