- Six CubeSats, including KARI's Deep Space Exploration Satellite, chosen for the mission
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI, President Lee Sangchul) announced on December 3rd that they have selected a total of six payload satellites for the Korea’s homegrown launch vehicle, Nuri, for its 6th launch. The selection process involved an open call held from September 22 to October 24, inviting submissions from industries, universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The satellites were chosen based on expert evaluations.
The selected payload satellites for this mission include one 3U*, four 6U, and one 27U CubeSats, which will be launched aboard the Nuri Rocket’s 6th launch scheduled for 2027. These satellites will undertake various missions.
* The unit "U" refers to the standard size specification of CubeSats, where 1U represents a cube with dimensions of 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. For example, a satellite with dimensions of 10cm (width), 10cm (height), and 30cm (depth) is referred to as a 3U CubeSat.
One of the 3U CubeSats selected is "SuncheonSat-1" from Suncheon City. This satellite will be used to capture images of the Suncheon Bay National Garden and wetland areas and analyze ecological changes, and verify the performance of space components used by local businesses in Suncheon.
The selected missions include K-STAR from the National Security Technology Research Institute (NSRI), which focuses on testing and verifying national cybersecurity technologies to address space cyber threats; KAFASAT-2 from the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy, aimed at advancing ultra-small satellite design and development technologies for cadet education and training; GAIMSat-1 from Gwangju Metropolitan City, designed to secure AI onboard data processing technology and verify autonomous flight algorithms; and KMU ET-02 from Kookmin University, which focuses on early disaster detection through nationwide forest species, vegetation, and moisture analysis, while also fostering talent in space and AI.
The mission also includes the Deep Space Exploration Demonstration Satellite from KARI, designed to perform trajectory research for future deep space exploration. The mission will use low-thrust propulsion to modify its orbit from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous orbit (GSO) and will capture images of the Moon and asteroid Apophis.
* Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) has a 24-hour orbital period and an altitude of approximately 36,000 km.
The 6th Nuri launch will carry a total of 13 satellites into space, including 5 micro-satellite constellations (NEONSAT 7-11) as the main payloads, along with 6 CubeSats selected through this call for proposals. Additionally, E3T-3 (Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical Tester), a satellite for verifying domestic components and parts, currently being developed by KARI, and ADRSat (Active Debris Removal Satellite), an active control satellite developed by KAIST's Satellite Research Center as part of the Space Object Active Control Technology Development Project, will also be onboard.
Director General Park Jaesung of the Space Transportation Directorate at KASA stated, "The satellites chosen through this call for proposals were prioritized based on their public benefit. These satellites are expected to make a significant contribution to public welfare, including disaster monitoring, environmental surveillance, land management, and human resource development." He also added, "KASA will work closely with the selected organizations to ensure the satellites are fully prepared and all necessary measures are taken.