Innospace Unveils 3-Ton Engine Prototype for Commercial Launch Vehicle HANBIT-Nano

Prototype of the 3-ton thrust liquid oxygen-methane engine unveiled by Innospace. / Innospace

The South Korean rocket startup Innospace has unveiled a prototype of its 3-ton thrust liquid oxygen-methane engine on the 17th, a key technology for its commercial launch vehicle "HANBIT-Nano," which is being developed with a target for its inaugural launch in the first half of 2025.

This engine was manufactured using 3D printing technology and is scheduled to be mounted on the second stage of HANBIT-Nano.

HANBIT-Nano is the first model being developed by Innospace to fully enter the commercial launch vehicle market. It has a length of 21.8m and a diameter of 1.4m, capable of carrying a maximum payload of 90kg to a 500km sun-synchronous orbit.

Types and Specifications of Launch Vehicles Being Developed by Innospace. / Innospace IR Materials (June 2024)

The first stage of this launch vehicle is equipped with a 25-ton thrust liquid oxygen-paraffin hybrid engine, and the second stage will use the newly unveiled 3-ton thrust engine.

Innospace is also developing several other launch vehicle models to meet various demands, including the "HANBIT-Micro," with a maximum payload capacity of 170kg, and the 1.3-ton class "HANBIT-Mini."

The unveiling of this 3-ton engine prototype is being viewed as an important step for Innospace to be recognized for its technological capabilities in the commercial space launch market.