Third Launch of Nuri becomes Successful, Ushering in New Space Era for Korea
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Department
Administrator
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Registration Date
2023-05-25
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The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Lee Jong-Ho) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (“KARI”; President Lee Sang-Ryul) announced that the third launch of the Nuri (KSLV-Ⅱ), which Korea developed on its own to secure space transportation capabilities, was successfully completed amid public interest and support.
After the launch, Nuri rocket performed its flight sequence as planned. Nuri’s first, second, and third stage engines worked properly, and its fairing separated as planned, putting into orbit the next-generation small satellite (NEXTSAT-2) and cubesats.
At 7:07 p.m., the Sejong Station in Antarctica confirmed to have received a beacon signal from the NEXTSAT-2. From 5:05 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. on May 26, KARI will thoroughly check the status of the satellite four times through two-way communications with the Ground Station of the KAIST Satellite Research Center in Daejeon.
The successful third launch, following last year's success of the second launch, reaffirmed that Korea has secured domestic rocket launching and space transportation capabilities for autonomous space development.
The third launch of Nuri has set up a landmark in that Korea secured the technologies to launch satellites and that this is the first time Hanwha Aerospace participated in launch operation. Hanwha Aerospace is a Korean company that can handle the entire process for launching rockets from design to assembly, launch and control.
Science Minister Lee Jong-Ho said, “The Korean government will continue to launch the Nuri rocket - a total of three times by 2027 - and develop next-generation launch vehicles that outperform Nuri, securing international competitiveness.” The Minister added, “We will also foster an enabling environment for businesses and research institutes so that they can thrive in new business models.”
“I cannot thank our Korean people enough for all their interest and support, and researchers and business people for their commitment and dedication. The third launch of the Nuri rocket would not have been successful without your hard work and dedication,” Lee added.