Innospace Unveils Suborbital Rocket 'SEBIT'... Expanding Beyond Satellites to Test and Defense Markets

Maiden Flight in Brazil Set for July
Expanding the “Mission-Oriented Rocket” Lineup
from Microgravity Experiments to Space Component Validation

Innospace, a private space launch vehicle company, has unveiled its multipurpose suborbital rocket 'Sebit (SEBIT)' and is expanding its business beyond satellite launches to serve as a test and verification platform. The company is actively building a 'mission-centric rocket' business portfolio, targeting not only microgravity experiments, space component verification, and high-speed/high-altitude technology tests, but also demand from the defense sector.

Innospace Multipurpose Suborbital Rocket 'Sebit (SEBIT)'. Provided by Innospace

On March 31, Innospace announced the unveiling of Sebit, its multipurpose suborbital rocket powered by a 3-ton-thrust hybrid rocket engine. Sebit is designed to perform a variety of missions, including scientific payload experiments, space component functionality verification, and high-speed/high-altitude environmental technology tests, and is capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 50 km. Unlike launch vehicles that place artificial satellites into Earth orbit, suborbital rockets return after flying to high altitudes and are used as test rockets for microgravity experiments and performance verification of space and defense components.

The key point is Innospace's expansion from a satellite launch service provider to a test and evaluation service company. While the existing HANBIT series focused on providing low-cost, rapid launch services for satellite customers, Sebit is positioned as a test platform that meets demand for verification of space components, high-altitude payloads, and flight technology.

In particular, Sebit can simulate a microgravity environment and transmit high-altitude flight data to the ground in real time, enabling it to meet the testing needs of research institutions, defense contractors, and space component manufacturers. Another strength is its use of a hybrid engine, which is environmentally friendly and suitable for mass production, allowing for repeated launches and the realization of various flight conditions.

Innospace Multipurpose Suborbital Rocket 'SEBIT' Dedicated Launch Pad. Provided by Innospace

Innospace plans to conduct the maiden flight test of Sebit at Brazil's Alcantara Space Center in July to verify its commercial performance and operational reliability. Through this, the company aims to establish an integrated business structure encompassing flight vehicle development and sales, test and evaluation services, as well as the launch of satellites and high-altitude payloads.

Kim Sujong, CEO of Innospace, stated, "Demand for flight vehicle transportation platforms is rapidly expanding beyond satellite launches to experiments in high-speed, high-altitude, and high-maneuverability environments," adding, "We will respond to the surging demand not only in the space sector but also in the defense industry."

Meanwhile, the company has completed an investigation into the cause of the aborted first commercial launch mission of HANBIT-Nano in December last year and is currently improving related components and upgrading processes. Based on this, Innospace plans to proceed with a follow-up launch in the third quarter of this year after obtaining launch approval from the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA).

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