INNOSPACE, a South Korean space startup for small launch vehicles, has signed a contract with The Space Systems Coordination and Implementation Commission (“CCISE”) in Brazil, operated by Brazilian Air Force, for the commercial use of the Alcântara Space Center.

  

The contract signing ceremony was held at the Brazilian Air Force Command on September 29^th (local time), being attended by about 50 aerospace officials, including Soo Jong Kim, CEO of INNOSPACE, Ki Mo Lim, Ambassador of the Korean Embassy in Brazil, Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior, Commander of Brazilian Air Force, and Francisco Bento Antunes Neto, CCISE Chairman.

 

With this contract, INNOSPACE is in a position to secure a launch site, which is the starting point for rapidly and reliably launching customers’ satellites into orbit in the near future. The duration of this contract is five years, and it can be extended. INNOSPACE will install a dedicated the Coalesced Launch System (CLS) for commercial launch services at the Alcântara space center in 2022.

 

The Alcântara Space Center, operated by the Brazilian Air Force, is located at two degrees south latitude and is the closest launch site to the equator. Its launch azimuth is 107 degrees, making it easier for the rocket to approach orbit, while reducing fuel consumption. In addition, it is considered as one of the best launching sites in that there is no maritime or air traffic nearby, and it can guarantee safety and security as it is placed far away from the residential area.

 

With Alcântara Space Center secured for commercial launch site based on this contract, INNOSPACE plans to aggressively knock on the doors of satellite launch customers based in South America, which is geographically advantageous. While the global demand for launching small satellites is expected to more than 13,912 by 2030, the size of their market is also riding the trend. The size of the global small satellite launch market is expected to grow by 253% compared to the past 10 years, with a cumulative US$19.1 billion (approximately KRW 27 trillion) from 2021 to 2030 [1].

 

“In order to make inroads into the global market stably as a civilian space company, we need differentiated price competitiveness as well as customer-friendly service and our own unique strategy so as to provide fast and accurate launch services,” said Soo Jong Kim, CEO of INNOSPACE. “Starting to secure the Alcântara Space Center this time, INNOSPACE will try to secure global launch sites in the US, Europe, and Asia, where satellite launch demand is concentrated, to expand its opportunities to move into the global space market."

  

Meanwhile, INNOSPACE signed a strategic MOU with the Andøya Space Center in Norway for the use of the space launch site in December 2021.

  

[1] Euroconsult 2021 – Prospects for Small Satellites Market 7th