– 5 Microsatellites, 9 CubeSats Successfully Deployed into Target Orbits
– Reliability, Capabilities for Deploying Multiple Satellites Demonstrated
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI, President Lee Sang-cheol) announced the successful fifth launch of Nuri, Korea’s space launch vehicle developed to secure independent space transportation capabilities, with strong public interest and support.
Nuri was launched at 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7. After the flight ended, KARI conducted an initial analysis of the telemetry data containing information on the launch vehicle’s flight, which confirmed that Nuri reached its target altitude and successfully separated five microsatellites and nine CubeSats, deploying them into their target orbits. All phases of the flight proceeded normally according to the preprogrammed flight sequence. The first-, second-, and third-stage engines all operated normally, and the payload fairing separated as planned. All subsequent procedures, including the separation of Microsatellites 2 to 6 and the CubeSats, were also completed successfully.
At approximately 1:08 p.m., initial contact was successfully established with Microsatellite 6 from the King Sejong Station in Antarctica. Starting at 2:00 p.m., communications with Microsatellites 2 through 5 are scheduled to be conducted using domestic ground stations in Daejeon, Jeju, and Antarctica’s King Sejong Station, followed by the Svalbard ground station in Norway.
Building on the successful fourth launch of Nuri, today’s launch further enhanced the launch vehicle’s reliability and once again demonstrated Korea’s independent space transportation capabilities and capacity for autonomous space development. In particular, this launch introduced low-shock separation devices for deploying the constellation satellites and applied separation procedures to prevent collisions between satellites. By successfully deploying multiple satellites into their target orbits, Nuri’s mission capabilities were further enhanced. In addition, compared with the fourth launch, the system integration company played a greater role in launch operations, allowing the private sector to continue building operational experience and expertise. This further strengthened the foundation for transitioning to a private-sector-led launch service system in the future.
KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh said, “We are preparing for the sixth launch in the second half of next year. We will pursue at least one launch annually through 2032 to further improve Nuri’s reliability and transition to a private-sector-led commercial launch service system.” He added, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the KARI researchers and industry representatives, including Hanwha Aerospace, who devoted their hard work and passion to ensuring the success of Nuri’s fifth launch, as well as to the relevant organizations that helped ens ure the launch was conducted safely.”