Innospace Unveils Korea’s First Private Test Launch Vehicle ‘Hanbit-TLV’

SEJONG, South Korea (Innospace PR) — Innospace has unveiled the first civilian test launch vehicle ‘Hanbit-TLV’ in Korea. The mobile integrated launch system to be used for the actual launch was installed at the Cheongju plant (located in Gangnae-myeon, Heungdeok-gu), and preparations for the launch began in earnest, starting with the operation and standing demonstration of the launch system on May 27.

The Hanbit-TLV test projectile is launched to verify the flight performance of the 15-ton hybrid engine independently developed by Innospace. The test projectile is 16.3m in height, 1m in diameter, and weighs 9.2 tons, and is equipped with one 15-ton engine as a single-stage rocket.

The Korean-style small satellite launch vehicle ‘Hanbit’, which is being developed for the first time in the private sector, uses hybrid rocket engine technology that combines the features of liquid rockets and solid rockets. By using solid fuel and liquid oxidizer, the structure is simple, and thrust control is possible. In particular, ‘Hanbit’ is characterized by using high-performance paraffin material without the risk of explosion and applying a patented technology of electric pump oxidizer supply method.  

Innospace CEO Kim Soo-jong said, “There are six months left until the first test launch scheduled for December of this year. “He said.

Along with this, “Innospace’s ultimate goal is to transport many satellites to low-Earth orbit at low cost by the independently developed small satellite launch vehicle. At the same time as development, we plan to continue strengthening our strategic cooperation with the space industry and overseas commercialization capabilities,” he added.

Meanwhile, on the 3rd of May, Innospace launched the test launch vehicle ‘Hanbit-TLV’ with the inertial navigation system ‘SISNAV’ of the Brazilian Air Force’s Department of Aviation Science and Technology (DCTA) as a payload. an agreement has been signed.