[Nuri Rocket 4th Launch] Nuri Rocket's First Night Flight Set for Tomorrow Morning... Launch Schedule Unaffected by Strong Winds

Carrying 13 Satellites Toward a 600 km Orbit
Hanwha Aerospace Oversees Manufacturing for the First Time

The domestically developed Nuri rocket has entered its final inspection phase ahead of its first night flight, scheduled for 12:55 a.m. on November 27.

The mission involves carrying the third next-generation medium-sized satellite and 12 CubeSats into a 600 km sun-synchronous orbit. This launch marks the first flight of the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project and is also the first case where a private manufacturing system is being applied.

The simultaneous occurrence of a night launch and private-led manufacturing makes this event significant both technically and symbolically.

Nuri rocket preparing to launch into space. On the 25th, work for the 4th Nuri rocket launch is underway at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam. Provided by the Space Agency.

Uprighting in Strong Winds... Final Inspections to Be Completed on the Morning of the 26th

On the morning of November 25, the Nuri rocket departed the assembly building and arrived at the second launch pad after about one hour and forty minutes. Although the transport was delayed by one hour and twenty minutes due to rain forecasts the previous day, the overall schedule remained largely unaffected. After being erected at 1:36 p.m., the rocket underwent electrical and air conditioning umbilical connections, signal checks, and attitude control system verification.

However, due to a strong wind advisory in the afternoon, some tasks such as the pneumatic umbilical connection and certain airtightness checks were postponed to the following morning. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute stated, "All remaining inspections will be completed in the morning of the 26th, and there are no issues with launch operations readiness." The Space Agency also explained, "The overall schedule is being maintained as planned."

Launch Management Committee This Afternoon... Propellant Loading After Weather and Technical Checks

At the Launch Management Committee meeting held on the afternoon of the 26th, the launch time and propellant loading will receive final approval. The committee will comprehensively review not only the technical readiness but also detailed weather factors such as strong winds, cloud cover, and temperature, the launch window, and the risk of collision with space objects.

Once the launch time is confirmed, kerosene fuel and liquid oxygen will begin to be loaded four hours prior to launch. After fueling is complete, the erection device will be removed, and ten minutes before launch, the Pre-Launch Operation (PLO) mode will be activated, automatically carrying out the remaining procedures.

Mission Ends After Separation of 13 Satellites... Success Criteria Based on the Third Satellite's Orbit

After liftoff, the Nuri rocket will proceed through a series of flight stages, initiating satellite separation at an altitude of 600 km, 13 minutes and 27 seconds after launch. The third next-generation medium-sized satellite will be separated first, followed by the sequential ejection of 12 CubeSats at approximately 20-second intervals. The successful deployment of CubeSats developed by universities, research institutes, and companies will serve as an indicator of Nuri's multi-satellite carrying capability.

Once satellite separation is complete, the Nuri rocket will perform a collision avoidance maneuver, vent any remaining fuel, and complete its mission approximately 21 minutes and 24 seconds after launch. Success will be determined by whether the third next-generation medium-sized satellite enters an orbit with an altitude of 600 km (±35 km) and an inclination of 97.7 to 97.9 degrees. The launch results will be announced about one hour and twenty minutes after launch.

This launch is also significant because it is the first Nuri rocket for which Hanwha Aerospace has overseen the entire manufacturing process, accelerating the transition of South Korea's space launch vehicle industry to the private sector. Thirty-two Hanwha personnel have been involved in launch preparation and control. The Space Agency emphasized, "This is the first step for the private sector to secure manufacturing capabilities and accumulate operational experience."

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