Nuriho 3rd Launch on May 24... "First Ever Practical Independent Launch"

Ministry of Science and ICT to Decide at Launch Management Committee on the 11th

Korea's independent space launch vehicle Nuriho's third launch has been confirmed for the 24th of next month. It is expected to be a historic moment as the first time a practical satellite will be independently sent into space.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held the 'Nuriho Launch Management Committee (Chairman Oh Tae-seok, 1st Vice Minister)' on the afternoon of the 11th and decided to schedule the third launch of Nuriho for 6:24 PM (±30 minutes) on the 24th of next month.

Nuriho 3rd launch vehicle. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

At the meeting, the preparation status for the third launch of Nuriho, satellite loading schedule, final test plans, and launch conditions (weather, space environment, possibility of collision with space objects) were thoroughly reviewed to set the launch date. Considering the possibility of schedule changes due to weather, the backup launch dates were set from the 25th to the 31st of the same month. In particular, considering the mission orbit (altitude 550 km) of the main payload satellite, Next-Generation Small Satellite 2, which includes verifying imaging radar technology and observing space radiation in low Earth orbit, the scheduled launch time was finalized at 6:24 PM (±30 minutes).

KARI employees assembling the Nuriho third launch vehicle. Photo by KARI

Currently, Nuriho has completed the assembly between the first and second stages and is conducting various performance tests. The eight satellites to be loaded on the third stage are undergoing final environmental tests. The satellites are scheduled to arrive at the Naro Space Center between the 1st and 2nd of next month. After arrival, satellite assembly within the third stage and total assembly with the first and second stages will be carried out over approximately three weeks. In addition to Next-Generation Small Satellite 2, the third launch of Nuriho will carry four small space weather observation satellites called Doyosat, developed by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, as well as small satellites for technology testing by space startups such as JusTech (1 unit), Lumir (1 unit), and Kairospace (1 unit).

Nuriho 3rd launch vehicle under assembly. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Earlier, the government conducted the first launch safety control drill on March 1 to thoroughly prepare for emergencies that may occur during launch preparations and the launch process and to ensure public safety. A final comprehensive inspection drill is planned for the end of April. Eleven organizations, including government, military, police, and local governments, are expected to participate in the comprehensive drill, which will simulate emergency situations under the same conditions as the launch day for training and inspection.

Oh Tae-seok, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “The third launch of Nuriho is significant as it is the first attempt to launch a practical satellite and the first time a system integration company is participating.” He added, “The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the system integration company, and related industries are all fully committed to preparing for the launch, and we will do our best to ensure a successful launch.”

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