Nuriho Second Launch Scheduled for June... Solutions for Third Stage Issues Also Finalized

Ministry of Science and ICT to Hold Space Development Promotion Working Committee Meeting on the Afternoon of the 25th for Resolution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] South Korea's first indigenous space launch vehicle, Nuriho, will conduct its second test launch in June, about a month later than originally planned.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held a Space Development Promotion Working Committee meeting on the afternoon of the 25th to finalize the Nuriho launch schedule.

During the first test launch on October 21 last year, Nuriho successfully completed ignition, flight, separation of each stage, and payload deployment. However, the final third-stage engine shut down 46 seconds earlier than planned, resulting in failure to insert the satellite mock-up into the intended orbit, leaving some disappointment.

The Ministry of Science and ICT formed an investigation committee including the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the developer, and private experts to identify the cause. It was confirmed that the main cause was the loosening of the helium tank support bracket in the third-stage oxidizer tank during Nuriho's flight.

At the meeting, technical improvement measures based on the investigation results were finalized. KARI decided to modify and improve the structure of the lower support bracket of the helium tank and the manhole cover of the third-stage oxidizer tank. The design will be changed to reinforce the fixing device of the helium tank's lower support bracket, and the manhole cover will be strengthened in thickness and other aspects to ensure stable flight under changing conditions during Nuriho's flight.

The third stage of the flight model to be used for the second Nuriho launch was already assembled last year. Once the modifications are completed, KARI plans to disassemble and reassemble the third stage and conduct airtightness tests.

Nuriho third-stage engine structure.

After completing these measures, an additional month will be required for assembling the first, second, and third stages of the flight model, performance verification, and satellite integration. Consequently, the launch date will be postponed by about a month from the originally scheduled May to mid-June. The planned launch date is June 15, with backup dates from June 16 to June 23 to prepare for adverse weather or other contingencies. The final launch date will be determined by the Launch Management Committee considering weather conditions.

Kwon Hyun-jun, Director General of the Large Public Research Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "We are making every effort to ensure that the technical improvements of Nuriho proceed smoothly," and added, "We will do our best to facilitate the smooth preparation for Nuriho's launch going forward."

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