[Nuriho Launch] Ministry of Science and ICT "Successful Normal Flight... Regret for Failure to Achieve Orbit Insertion"

The entire flight process was carried out normally
Accurately identify the cause of the early shutdown of the 3rd stage engine

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Korean-type space launch vehicle 'Nuriho' was launched precisely at 5 p.m. on the 21st and flew normally, but it left some regret as the final goal, the satellite mock-up, failed to settle into orbit.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held a press conference at 7 p.m. at the Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, stating, "The Nuriho launched at 5 p.m. today successfully completed all flight processes."

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained, "The third-stage engine shut down prematurely, so although the satellite mock-up reached the target altitude of 700 km, it did not reach the speed of 7.5 km/s and thus failed to settle into low Earth orbit." According to the analysis by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, after liftoff, the first stage separation, fairing separation, and second stage separation were all performed normally, but the 7-ton class liquid engine installed on the third stage did not burn for the targeted 521 seconds and shut down early at 475 seconds.

The Ministry of Science and ICT added, "Although today's launch left some regrets, as the first flight test of a domestically independently developed launch vehicle, it completed all major launch stages and confirmed the securing of core technologies, which is significant." In fact, Nuriho was launched precisely at 5 p.m. today and successfully completed the entire process including first stage engine ignition → liftoff → first stage engine burn and separation → fairing separation → second stage engine ignition and burn → second stage separation → third stage engine ignition and burn → satellite mock-up separation.

In particular, the clustering of four 75-ton class engines in the first stage, a core component, accurately produced the designed thrust of 300 tons, pushing Nuriho into space.

Minister of Science and ICT Lim Hye-sook said, "The successful separations and ignitions of the first and second stages, fairing, and second and third stages, securing stage separation technology, can also be considered an achievement," adding, "This shows that a considerable level of launch vehicle technology has been accumulated domestically."

However, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to immediately form a 'Launch Investigation Committee' involving researchers from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and external experts to accurately identify the cause of the premature shutdown of the third-stage engine, address the issues, and proceed with a second launch.

Minister Lim stated, "The government humbly accepts today's results and will work to supplement the lacking parts," adding, "We will strive harder and continue our challenge toward space together with the people until the day we achieve the dream of becoming a space power."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.