South Korea Confirms Profitable Fourth Nuri Rocket Launch

A milestone mission that strengthens Seoul’s unbiased area capabilities and accelerates its business area ambitions

South Korea has efficiently carried out the fourth launch of its homegrown Nuri rocket, advancing its aim of constructing a stronger and extra self-reliant area trade. The three-stage rocket — weighing 200 tons — took off from the Naro Area Heart in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, at 1:13 a.m., following a brief delay as a consequence of a stress sensor problem. As soon as launched, Nuri positioned 13 satellites into orbit, marking the biggest satellite tv for pc deployment South Korea has achieved to this point. This mission types a part of the federal government’s broader roadmap, which incorporates six launches scheduled by way of 2027 as a part of its long-term area growth technique.

Fundamental Satellite tv for pc Establishes Contact Inside 40 Minutes

The first payload — the 516-kilogram Compact Superior Satellite tv for pc 500-3 (CAS500-3) — efficiently established communication with King Sejong Station in Antarctica at 1:55 a.m., enabling engineers to confirm its standing and photo voltaic panel deployment. The satellite tv for pc later contacted floor stations in Daejeon, South Korea, and Svalbard, Norway, confirming that its methods had been functioning usually.

“The fourth launch of Nuri was profitable. All satellites have been positioned into orbit as deliberate,”
— Bae Kyung-hoon, Science Minister of South Korea

To this point, 5 of the 12 cubesats have made contact, with the remaining anticipated to speak in sequence.

Scientific Mission: Learning Auroras & Atmospheric Phenomena

CAS500-3 is designed to enter a sun-synchronous orbit 600 kilometers above Earth. Its mission consists of:

• Learning auroras and airglow
  
• Measuring magnetic fields and plasma
  
• Conducting high-sensitivity atmospheric evaluation
  

The remaining 12 cubesats had been developed by analysis establishments, universities, and personal firms, signaling increasing private-sector participation in South Korea’s area ecosystem.

Precision Launch & First-Ever Night time Flight

This mission additionally marked Nuri’s first nighttime launch, displaying steady flight efficiency. Key launch milestones:

• First & second-stage engine separations: inside 5 minutes
  
• Altitude above 500 km: at round seven minutes
  
• Orbital entry: approx. 12 minutes after launch
  
• CAS500-3 deployment: at 13 minutes
  
• Remaining satellites: launched in 20-second intervals
  

These metrics counsel improved operational precision, strengthening South Korea’s status in launch automobile reliability.

Path to Area Independence

Minister Bae highlighted that the launch reaffirmed South Korea’s unbiased area transport functionality. The Nuri rocket is the nation’s first absolutely indigenous orbital launcher, not like the sooner Naro-1, which used Russian expertise.

South Korea turned the seventh nation on the earth to efficiently place over 1 metric ton of payload into low-Earth orbit in the course of the third Nuri launch in Might 2023.

“Primarily based on right now’s success, we’ll unwaveringly push for Korea to change into a top-five international area powerhouse,”
— Bae Kyung-hoon, Minister of Science and ICT

Subsequent Section: Extra Launches & a New Rocket

KASA Administrator Yoon Younger-bin introduced that two extra Nuri launches are scheduled by way of 2027, with discussions underway for a seventh launch in 2028. From then on, the company goals to conduct not less than one launch yearly. The following aim is to develop a extra superior launch automobile utilizing expertise gained from Nuri.

“We are going to enhance the Nuri rocket’s stability and transfer towards next-generation launch autos to strengthen Korea’s area capabilities,” he stated.

Personal Sector Steps In: Hanwha Takes the Lead

A serious shift on this mission was the operational position of Hanwha Aerospace, which managed the launch for the primary time after profitable the contract from KARI. Hanwha will proceed main the following two launches — an indication of rising private-sector involvement.

Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, famous challenges because of the two-and-a-half-year hole because the earlier launch however stated trade companions efficiently retained expert staff. He burdened the necessity for home launch capabilities to assist business area ventures.

“The expansion potential of area is limitless. We can’t depend upon overseas launch autos — Korea should develop its personal,” Son stated.

Towards a Sustainable Area Ecosystem

With the success of the fourth Nuri launch, South Korea is transferring past proof-of-concept missions. Its technique now focuses on:

• Business launch providers
  
• Subsequent-generation area autos
  
• Authorities–trade collaboration
  
• Deep area exploration & lunar missions
  

The mission units the stage for a completely operational area economic system, the place nationwide companies and personal firms can collectively drive innovation and scale back dependence on overseas applied sciences.