Goheung: South Korea confirmed the successful launch of its indigenous space rocket, Nuri, which was launched from the Naro Space Center. The main satellite among the 13 deployed successfully established communication with King Sejong Station in Antarctica.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 200-ton Nuri rocket took off from the southern coastal village of Goheung, located about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, at 1:13 a.m. The launch was initially delayed from its planned time of 12:55 a.m. due to a sensor issue. The main satellite, CAS500-3, successfully communicated with the research center in Antarctica at 1:55 a.m., enabling experts to assess its condition.
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon announced the success of Nuri's fourth launch during a press briefing, stating that all satellites were correctly placed into orbit. He emphasized the significance of this launch as a turning point in transitioning the focus of the space ecosystem from government-driven efforts to a private sector-led approach. Bae noted the government's commitment to establishing South Korea as one of the top five space powerhouses globally.
Yoon Young-bin, administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), supported this view and highlighted the government's plan to enhance South Korea's capabilities in space exploration. President Lee Jae Myung also celebrated the achievement on social media, recognizing it as a significant moment in the nation's space exploration history.
Space authorities stated that ongoing monitoring of the main satellite would continue through communication with other ground stations, including those in Daejeon and Norway. The CAS500-3 satellite, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries Co., is a medium-class unit using the standard platform technology from the first CAS500 model. It will be used for observing Earth's auroras and upper atmosphere and conducting various experiments, including three-dimensional stem cell cultivation using bio 3D-printing technology.
During the launch, Nuri successfully separated its first stage about two minutes after liftoff, followed by the second stage four minutes and 30 seconds into the flight. After reaching the target altitude of 600 kilometers, the rocket deployed the main satellite along with 12 cube satellites. The main satellite will focus on space science research, including measuring space magnetic fields and plasma and observing auroras.
The Nuri rocket completed its 18-minute mission at 1:31 a.m., after which it will reenter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate. South Korea initially launched Nuri in October 2021, but it failed to enter orbit. Subsequent successful launches occurred in June 2022 and May 2023, placing various satellites into orbit.
This latest launch marks the first time Hanwha Aerospace Co. has overseen the entire assembly process, aligning with the government's strategy to transfer space technologies to the private sector. South Korea plans to conduct its fifth launch in 2026, followed by another in 2027. KASA aims to secure additional funding for future launches, with plans to launch Nuri annually beginning with the eighth launch.
KARI indicated that Hanwha Aerospace will have an expanded role in the upcoming launches, including technology transfers related to the launch process. Park Jong-chan, director of the Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement Program at KARI, remarked that while the government does not plan to charge for satellites on Nuri for public purposes through the sixth launch, they will coordinate with KASA on cost assessments for future private sector-led launches.
Spectators at the Naro Space Center celebrated the launch, capturing the moment in photos and videos. Park Sung-wook, a spectator from Dangjin, described the experience as "overwhelming," while Kim Do-yun, a university student, expressed surprise at the rocket's visibility at night.