The Nuri rocket has successfully completed its fifth launch, placing five small cluster satellites into their target orbits, marking its fourth consecutive success since the second launch.
According to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Space Agency, the Nuri rocket was launched at 12:25 p.m. from the second launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. It successfully separated the first stage, fairing, and second stage before entering the target orbit.
The rocket carried a total of 15 satellites, including five small cluster satellites (No. 2 to No. 6) and ten auxiliary CubeSats. The total weight of the satellite payload, including the deployment device and adapter, was approximately 1,071 kg.
About 13 minutes and 30 seconds after launch, the Nuri rocket began to deploy the five small cluster satellites at an altitude of approximately 575 km. To prevent collisions between the satellites, the rocket adjusted its trajectory, deploying each satellite at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds. The ten CubeSats were also released sequentially afterward.
The Korea Space Agency confirmed that the Nuri rocket executed the planned flight procedures normally and that all five primary satellites successfully reached their target orbits. The sixth small cluster satellite successfully established its first communication with the Antarctic King Sejong Station, while the remaining satellites (Nos. 2 to 5) are expected to confirm communication later in the afternoon.
This fifth launch is notable for its mission to deploy multiple primary satellites simultaneously, a departure from previous launches. The Nuri rocket failed to place a satellite mock-up into its target orbit during its first launch in 2021, but it has successfully completed four consecutive missions since the second launch in 2022.
This launch also saw increased participation from private companies. Hanwha Aerospace oversaw the production of the Nuri rocket following the fourth launch, and the involvement of private personnel in the launch preparation and operation processes has expanded. The government plans to enhance the reliability of the Nuri rocket through repeated launches and transition to a privately-led space transportation system.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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