South Korea’s Nuri rocket scores another success: fourth launch completes with all 13 satellites delivered to orbit | WPN World People News

South Korea’s domestically developed three-stage rocket Nuri (also known as KSLV-II) successfully lifted off from the Naro Space Center in the early hours of the 27th, completing its fourth space mission. This launch marks the first time a private company has served as the rocket’s system integrator, as well as Nuri’s first nighttime launch, making it a milestone for South Korea’s aerospace industry.

Originally scheduled for around midnight, the mission was delayed after sensors in the propulsion system returned abnormal readings. Nuri ultimately lifted off at 1:13 a.m., completing all flight procedures in about 18 minutes and reaching its planned sun-synchronous orbit roughly 600 kilometers above Earth. According to the Korea Aerospace Administration, the primary payload—the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3—along with 12 CubeSats, was released sequentially at its designated altitudes. The satellite made its first contact with the King Sejong Station in Antarctica 42 minutes after launch, confirming normal status.

This mission included objectives in Earth observation, scientific research, and new technology testing, making Nuri’s fourth flight South Korea’s most comprehensive multi-satellite mission to date. Officials emphasized that critical events such as stage separations and fairing release were executed with even greater precision than expected, demonstrating improved reliability.

Korea Aerospace Administration Director Yoon Young-bin stated that the government plans to conduct two more Nuri launches by the end of 2027, while also advancing development of a more capable next-generation launch vehicle to strengthen domestic space transportation capacity. He also noted that budget planning is underway for the seventh mission, with the goal of eventually making rocket launches an annual routine.

This launch was led by Hanwha Aerospace, marking the first time a private company has taken primary responsibility for assembling and producing the rocket. Industry insiders acknowledged that the more-than-two-year gap between Nuri’s third and fourth launches presented challenges such as workforce turnover, but the team ultimately overcame the difficulties to ensure mission success.

Since its maiden flight in 2021, Nuri has now achieved three successful orbital insertions. For South Korea, this latest success not only reaffirms its independent space-launch capability but also signals a shift in the aerospace sector from government leadership toward more active private-sector participation—laying the foundation for future commercialization and large-scale scientific missions.