[Column] Nuriho, the Catalyst to Join the Era of Space Exploration

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "Still, having done this several times, I have become somewhat proficient. We reinforced the defects and completed all tests. We are expecting success but are preparing with intense focus and tension."

This is a statement from an on-site official at the Naro Space Center preparing for the launch of Nuri, South Korea's first independently developed space launch vehicle. The second launch of Nuri, which South Korea developed at a cost of 2 trillion won, is just one day away. Originally scheduled for the afternoon of the 15th, the launch was postponed by one day due to strong winds. Fortunately, the wind subsided, and from 7:20 a.m. that day, preparations such as vehicle transportation and mounting on the launch pad began in earnest. Unless any special situation such as vehicle malfunction occurs, Nuri will be launched into space for the second time around 4 p.m. tomorrow (the 16th), following its first launch on October 21 last year.

Last year's first launch was an incomplete success, leaving some regrets. The 75-ton liquid engine, independently developed with great effort, all operated normally, providing 300 tons of thrust properly to Nuri, which weighs 200 tons, is 47.2 meters long, and has a maximum diameter of 3.75 meters. However, the final 7-ton engine in the third stage shut down 46 seconds early due to fuel leakage caused by poor helium tank fixation, resulting in failure to reach the final target of satellite mock-up orbit insertion.

Since then, the technical team at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has removed the third-stage engine, repaired the helium tank fixation, and carried out improvement work, completing the simulation tests perfectly. This second launch is especially historic because, unlike the first launch which carried only a satellite mock-up, it will carry an actual satellite, a performance verification satellite, making it the first case of our launch vehicle sending our own satellite into space.

The success of Nuri's second launch carries great significance. At international space development conferences, the world is divided into two types of countries: those with launch vehicles and those without. The question "Why do we need space?" is already outdated. Just look at Ukraine, which is sustaining its war against Russia by building a space internet with Elon Musk's help. Consider why the United States, after more than 50 years, is gathering its allies to resume manned lunar exploration (the Artemis program). Space has already become an essential domain for a nation's survival and prosperity in the 21st century, encompassing resources, energy, security, and economy. We hope that the success of the second launch will make Nuri a stepping stone for South Korea to proudly take its place in humanity's space exploration.

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