[Q&A] "Nuriho, Feels Like Upgrading from Economy to First Class"

Nuriho 3rd Launch Success, Expert and Official Briefing

"It feels like flying first class after struggling with economy class." This is the impression of a KAIST professor who 'conveniently' launched a satellite using a domestically developed launch vehicle. It properly expresses the advantage of owning a national space launch vehicle that can launch any desired satellite at any time.

This remark was made at the official announcement on the afternoon of the 25th by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), confirming the success of the third launch of Korea's first indigenous space launch vehicle, Nuriho. Below is a Q&A session with Lee Sang-ryul, KARI Director, and other officials.

(Lee Sang-ryul, KARI Director) As Minister Lee Jong-ho mentioned earlier, we conducted the third launch of Nuriho. I will now speak about the results of the third launch based on the measured data. The launch proceeded as scheduled at 6:24 PM. All launch processes after liftoff proceeded normally. The separation of the second next-generation small satellite and six CubeSats was confirmed to have proceeded normally. However, it will take a little more time to confirm the separation of only one Toyosat. According to the initial analysis of remote reception data, Nuriho separated the first stage at an altitude of 66 km, 123 seconds after launch, following the predetermined flight sequence. At 230 seconds, the fairing was separated at an altitude of 209 km, and around 267 seconds, the second stage was separated at an altitude of 263 km. The second next-generation small satellite and CubeSats were sequentially separated at an altitude of 550 km.

- There are slight differences from the planned schedule?

▲ There are slight errors when the launch vehicle reaches the final target altitude to deploy the satellites. This is because the actual flight process proceeds differently from the scenario, and such errors can occur. Today's flight proceeded accurately.

- When will the confirmation of the successful launch of the sixth satellite be available?

▲ (Ko Jeong-hwan, KARI Director) We confirmed the separation of the satellites visible on the camera through video. The satellite on the opposite side is in a blind spot and has somewhat inaccurate data, so its launch status has not been confirmed. To verify further, we need to check all the data measured during the flight from the third stage and examine attitude data, etc. Also, a full analysis of telemetry (position and attitude information reception antenna) data will take until early next week. More time is needed.

(Director Lee) (Director Ko's remarks) were from the perspective of the launch vehicle. If the Toyosat was separated normally, it can be confirmed through communication with the ground or other tracking processes of space objects. I think it will be confirmed soon.

- Can the mission be performed with only three Toyosats?

▲ We need to check with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the developer. To fly in formation, the satellites must first stabilize, which takes quite some time.

- Hanwha Aerospace was selected as the system integrator for the Korean launch vehicle. What are the future goals?

▲ (Hanwha Aerospace representative) It is important for our country's space industry to have global competitiveness. We will work with a sense of mission to develop and acquire advanced technologies to achieve global competitiveness.

- Is it considered a success even though one Toyosat did not separate?

▲ The important thing was that Nuriho entered the target orbit well and deployed the main payload, the second next-generation small satellite, into orbit. The secondary payloads are less important than the second next-generation small satellite. Considering that Nuriho accurately reached the target orbit and the second next-generation small satellite was safely separated, I consider it a success.

- Why did KAIST decide to board the second next-generation small satellite on Nuriho, and what are your impressions?

▲ (Han Jae-young, KAIST Satellite Research Center Director) The second next-generation small satellite we made this time is the tenth model, and until now, we had no choice but to rely on foreign launch vehicles. In fact, when launching overseas, there are so many things to consider and prepare from the moment of sending the satellite. Since it was launched on our land with our launch vehicle, the entire process was much more convenient. A colleague researcher said, "It felt like flying first class after struggling with economy class," which I think is an appropriate analogy.

▲ (Director Ko) I was happy to have the mission of boarding the first customer, but it was a huge burden. If it failed, the satellite developers would also suffer, so the pressure was real. There were such issues during the launch preparations yesterday, so I was mentally tense yesterday and today. Fortunately, all results were good, so I feel happy.

- Will private payloads be loaded on the fourth launch as well?

▲ Only the third next-generation medium satellite is confirmed to be loaded on the fourth launch. Fortunately, Nuriho has high performance. This time, after loading the second next-generation small satellite, additional CubeSats could be loaded. There is enough time ahead, so the remaining rocket performance can be used not only for CubeSats but also for testing and verification of domestically produced components by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

- The Korean launch vehicle project ends in June. What are your thoughts after the launch?

▲ (Director Ko) The Korean launch vehicle project ends in June. The purpose was two test launches. The first was unfortunately unsuccessful, but the second project succeeded. I have been the project manager for seven years, and I am relieved that the results are good. There will be three more launches in the advanced project, with Hanwha Aerospace assembling the vehicle and conducting the launches together. Hanwha Aerospace will play an important role going forward.

- What is needed for the next-generation launch vehicle to have international competitiveness?

▲ (Director Lee) It is not an easy issue. Our country started this field quite late. Even Nuriho took more than 12 years to develop. The next-generation launch vehicle aims to improve performance more than three times that of Nuriho, which our researchers can certainly achieve. However, achieving global competitiveness in terms of space industrialization and new space is impossible by the research institute alone. I talked with the Hanwha Aerospace representative before the launch, and we agreed on one thing: we should no longer distinguish between research institutes, industry, and academia but become one team to secure competitiveness against overseas. We will cooperate and do our best.

- What specifically does Hanwha Aerospace plan to do after acquiring Nuriho technology?

▲ That is a very important question. Although our country has joined the ranks of the world's top seven space powers, the gap with advanced powers is huge. How to overcome this and gain global competitiveness is very important. We are considering developing somewhat disruptive technologies. Our country's infrastructure, including personnel and industry, must unite tightly to compete globally. We aim to build infrastructure, form a value chain, and grow global competitiveness as one team.

- Lastly, any final remarks?

▲ (Director Ko) I wish we had shown a better image yesterday. I apologize to the public. We learn and grow through such experiences. Please look kindly upon us. After the second success, while preparing for the third, people would naturally expect success, but if the result is not good, it worries us. We prepared a lot, but incidents like yesterday's happened, which is very heartbreaking. We loudly proclaimed hosting domestic satellite guests, but it almost turned into neglect.

On the other hand, I am most proud and grateful that the Nuriho we developed has steadily demonstrated its capabilities in terms of performance. I thank all the researchers and participants who worked together.

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