Grahaa to Launch Solaras S2 Satellite on South Korea’s Hanbit-Nano Rocket from Brazil’s Alcântara Space Center
India’s space technology ecosystem is gearing up for a groundbreaking moment as Bengaluru-based space startup Grahaa Space prepares to launch its Solaras S2 nanosatellite aboard the Hanbit-Nano rocket, developed by South Korea’s Innospace. This international collaboration marks a significant step forward for private space companies in both India and South Korea, symbolizing how cross-border partnerships can push the boundaries of innovation in the global space industry.
The upcoming launch, officially titled “Spaceward Mission”, is scheduled to take place from the Alcântara Space Center (Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara – CEA) in Brazil. The mission’s launch window opens on October 28, 2025, and runs through November 28, 2025, giving the teams flexibility to ensure optimal weather and orbital conditions. The event will mark the first time India’s emerging nano-satellite technology joins forces with a privately developed South Korean orbital launch vehicle.
A Global Collaboration: India, South Korea, and Brazil Unite
The Hanbit-Nano launch vehicle represents a milestone in the evolution of commercial space exploration in South Korea. Standing 21.7 meters tall, this two-stage-to-orbit rocket is capable of carrying up to 90 kilograms of payload into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 500 kilometers. The upcoming mission will carry a total of eight payloads—a multinational mix from India, South Korea, and Brazil. Of these, five will be deployable satellites, separating from the rocket’s upper stage to operate independently. The remaining three payloads will remain integrated into the rocket’s upper stage for continued research and performance tracking.
The partnership between Grahaa Space and Innospace represents more than a commercial arrangement—it symbolizes a new era in international collaboration for small satellite launches. By leveraging Brazil’s equatorial location, known for its efficiency in achieving diverse orbital inclinations, the launch will benefit from reduced fuel requirements and enhanced payload capacity. This cooperation also cements Brazil’s aspiration to become a global player in cost-efficient commercial space access.
Both the Brazilian Space Agency (Agência Espacial Brasileira – AEB) and the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB) have played key roles in coordinating regulatory and logistical frameworks for the mission. Their cooperation with Innospace reflects Brazil’s growing commitment to strengthening its space infrastructure and international partnerships.
Innospace: South Korea’s Private Space Pioneer
This extraordinary mission also marks a historic achievement for Innospace, which has now become the first private South Korean company authorized to conduct an orbital launch. The authorization was officially granted by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), signifying full compliance with stringent safety, technical, environmental, and security standards.
Soojong Kim, Founder and CEO of Innospace, highlighted the importance of this milestone:
“As the first commercial launch vehicle authorized for orbital flight by a private South Korean enterprise, this authorization certifies Hanbit-Nano’s technological and legal dependability by proving that it satisfies all safety, mission capability, and environmental standards. Our entire team is committed to making sure the Spaceward mission is a steady and successful launch since it is more than simply a test; it represents our official entry into the global commercial space transportation industry.”
Innospace’s journey toward commercialization has been characterized by steady advancements in hybrid propulsion, modular rocket design, and cost-efficient satellite launch strategies. The Hanbit family of rockets, including the Hanbit-TLV (Test Launch Vehicle) and now the Hanbit-Nano, represents South Korea’s ambition to expand its technological influence beyond national borders. The collaboration with Grahaa Space is one of the first steps in demonstrating the company’s commitment to facilitating affordable, reliable small satellite launches for international clients.
The Solaras S2: Pioneering Earth Observation in Near Real-Time
The Solaras S2 nanosatellite is part of Grahaa Space’s broader vision to develop a constellation of small, high-performance Earth observation satellites capable of delivering high-resolution geospatial video data in near real-time. Unlike conventional satellites that capture still imagery, the Solaras series focuses on continuous video imaging, providing dynamic observation of Earth’s surface for urban planning, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and smart governance.
Grahaa’s Solaras program has been designed as a series of technology demonstration missions, each progressively testing new capabilities such as:
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Advanced optical payloads for high-resolution Earth imaging.
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Communication modules that enable near real-time transmission of geospatial data.
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Intersatellite communication networks, allowing coordinated operation among multiple spacecraft in the constellation.
The Solaras S2 mission will specifically qualify Grahaa’s refined communication framework and evaluate the performance of its next-generation optical systems. By capturing detailed video imagery, the satellite will support applications that extend well beyond traditional Earth imaging — particularly aiding India’s Smart Cities initiative.
Supporting India’s Smart Cities Vision with Space Data
India’s Smart Cities Mission has been at the forefront of urban modernization, emphasizing efficient infrastructure management, public safety, and sustainability. However, the initiative has long faced challenges associated with data overload from ground-based monitoring systems like CCTV networks. Managing, maintaining, and securing millions of feeds across vast urban areas can be both technically complex and economically burdensome.
Grahaa Space offers a visionary solution: using space-based geospatial video to supplement and enhance these terrestrial systems. By observing urban developments, traffic patterns, and environmental conditions from orbit, these nanosatellites can offer aerial intelligence without the logistical constraints of ground installations.
With video feeds available almost in real time, civic planners can:
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Assess infrastructure performance more effectively.
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Manage traffic congestion through predictive analytics.
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Identify illegal constructions or encroachments quickly.
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Monitor disaster events and their impacts in real-time.
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Optimize energy and resource management in growing urban centers.
The integration of space-driven geospatial analytics will significantly reduce dependence on conventional surveillance, making smart governance more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective.
Building Technology from Educational Foundations
Before launching commercial missions, the founders of Grahaa Space were deeply involved in educational space projects, collaborating with SpaceKidz India, an organization known for inspiring young engineers and students to explore aerospace sciences. During these early projects, the team gained hands-on experience with designing and operating student-built miniature satellites (CubeSats) that were later launched through collaborations with ISRO and other international partners.
These initial ventures laid the foundation for Grahaa’s current focus — building scalable, modular nanosatellite systems that blend compact design with high mission flexibility. Combining academic passion with commercial ambition, the company’s leadership has cultivated a strong expertise in optical imaging systems, data analysis, satellite networking, and onboard AI-assisted decision-making.
Through the Solaras program, Grahaa is progressively shaping the future of space-based real-time observation, enabling both government agencies and private enterprises to harness the power of live-space data for ground-level decision-making.
Alcântara Space Center: Brazil’s Rising Space Hub
The Alcântara Space Center—located in Maranhão, northeastern Brazil—is rapidly becoming a critical global launch site due to its proximity to the equator, which provides a natural orbital advantage. Launching from an equatorial site allows rockets to use less fuel, increasing payload capacity and cost-effectiveness. This location makes Alcântara one of the most competitive commercial launch sites in the Southern Hemisphere.
By hosting launches from international players like Innospace and Grahaa, Brazil is demonstrating its readiness to compete with established global spaceports. The mission strengthens ties between Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, encouraging technology transfer, joint research, and deeper collaboration in aerospace innovation.
A New Era for Small Satellite Launches
The Spaceward mission reflects a defining trend in the global space ecosystem — the shift toward accessible, flexible, and affordable satellite launch services. Small and nanosatellites are transforming industries ranging from defense and agriculture to environmental monitoring and telecommunications. For startups like Grahaa Space, partnering with emerging rocket companies such as Innospace enables faster launch cycles, reduced costs, and greater mission customization.
As the global market for small satellite launches is projected to surpass $10 billion annually by 2030, collaborations like this one showcase how cross-national partnerships will shape the future of commercial space access. With India emerging as a major hub for space-tech startups and South Korea asserting its private-sector capabilities, the synergy between these two countries—supported by Brazil’s strategic location—represents a tri-continental milestone in the commercial space Age.
Conclusion
The launch of Grahaa’s Solaras S2 satellite aboard Innospace’s Hanbit-Nano rocket is more than a technological event—it’s an embodiment of the collaborative spirit driving modern space exploration. It exemplifies how emerging private enterprises across continents can combine resources, infrastructure, and expertise to achieve shared goals in orbit.
For India, it signifies the rise of a new generation of space innovators contributing directly to national objectives such as Smart Cities, digital infrastructure, and environmental management. For South Korea, it establishes a new benchmark for private aerospace commercialization. And for Brazil, it marks a bold step in establishing the Alcântara Space Center as a global launch destination.
Together, these pioneers are proving that the future of space is no longer defined by boundaries—but by collaboration, innovation, and a shared pursuit of knowledge beyond our atmosphere.
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