KASA Kicks Off Preparations for Nuri’s Fifth Launch
– Review Meeting Held to Initiate Assembly of the Nuri Flight Model-5
– Assembly of Flight Models 4 and 5 Set to Begin in June
On Monday, May 26, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator Yoon Young-bin), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI, President Lee Sang-cheol), and Hanwha Aerospace, the system integrator for the Nuri launch vehicle, held a kick-off review meeting for the stage assembly of the fifth flight model of the Nuri rocket at Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon R&D campus.
The meeting reviewed the readiness for starting the stage assembly of the Nuri Flight Model-5 and discussed follow-up actions. In particular, it comprehensively examined the full assembly procedures and schedules, the arrival status of components, assembly jig and fixture, equipment, as well as plans for quality assurance and safety management.
Currently, the Launch Vehicle Assembly Building at the Naro Space Center has been carrying out the stage assembly of Nuri Flight Model-4 since October last year. This fourth model, which is being prepared for the Nuri’s fourth launch this November, is scheduled to complete assembly by August.
Based on the outcomes of the kick-off meeting for Flight Model-5, its stage assembly is expected to begin in June. Assembly and testing will be carried out in an integrated manner to ensure the timely supply of Nuri rockets, which are scheduled for annual launches through 2027.
Meanwhile, preparations are progressing smoothly for the satellites to be launched aboard the fifth Nuri flight. The primary payload, microsatellite constellation Nos. 2 to 6, is undergoing assembly and testing as planned. Development is also underway for the secondary payloads―CubeSats from industries, universities, and research institutes―which have completed their selection process.
The fifth Nuri launch is expected to play a key role in advancing Korea’s space capabilities by supporting the launch of national public satellites, expanding Korea’s presence in the global launch services market, and enabling space environment verification of various private-sector CubeSats. This in turn will help foster the domestic space technology ecosystem and related industries.
Park Jae-sung, Director General of Space Transportation Directorate at KASA, stated, “This meeting was a key opportunity to assess readiness for Nuri’s stage assembly and coordinate next steps. As assembly of Flight Models 4 and 5 is being conducted in parallel, we will thoroughly manage risks related to assembly quality, workplace safety, and schedule adherence to ensure the success of the fourth and fifth launches.”