- Held Review Meeting with KARI and Hanwha Aerospace to Begin Stage Assembly of Flight Model-4
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), led by Yoon Youngbin, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), led by Lee Sang-ryool, announced that they held a review meeting on October 11 at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon R&D Campus to begin the stage assembly of the flight model-4 for the Nuri rocket's fourth launch.
Attended by representatives from KASA and KARI, which supervise the Korean launch vehicle development project, and Hanwha Aerospace, which was selected as a system integration company for Nuri, the meeting focused on assessing the preparation status for the stage assembly of the Nuri's flight model-4 and discussing necessary follow-up actions.
Following the successful third launch in 2023, KARI have produced components for the fourth flight model with companies that participated in the development of the Nuri, with parts being transported to the Launch Vehicle Assembly Building at the Naro Space Center for stage assembly.
The meeting covered the stock of components, jigs and fixtures, and equipment, as well as quality assurance and safety management plans. Once the follow-up steps are completed, KARI and Hanwha Aerospace are set to begin the stage assembly of the Nuri's fourth flight model in November, aiming for the fourth launch in the second half of 2025.
This meeting was held to review the production of components for the launch and assess the overall assembly process and plans. It is particularly significant as it marks the first time a system integration company has been involved in the process.
Meanwhile, KARI is going to conduct performance tests of the launch pad system, ground facility, and propellant supply facility. Full preparations for the launch will commence six months before the scheduled date after inspection of launch control facility system.
The main payload of Nuri, the Next Generation Medium Satellite-3, is undergoing assembly and testing as planned, and CubeSats, which will also be aboard, are in development after completing the selection process.
The fourth Nuri launch, which will send the national public satellite into orbit, is expected to pave the way for Korea's entry into the international launch service market and support the testing of private CubeSats in space contributing to space technology development in industry, academia, and research institute, and industry growth.
Park Jae-sung, Director General of Space Transportation Directorate of KASA, emphasized that thorough risk management for quality, safety, and schedule will be applied to ensure the success of the fourth launch.