S. Korea Successfully Launches Homegrown Space Rocket

SEOUL, Nov 27 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- South Korea successfully launched its homegrown space rocket Nuri, with live footage from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) broadcast early Thursday, reported Xinhua.

The 200-tonne Nuri blasted off from Naro Space Centre in Goheung, about 470 km south of the capital Seoul, at 1.13 am local time (1613 GMT Wednesday).

After reaching the target orbit 600 kilometres above Earth, the rocket separated a main satellite as well as 12 cube satellites.

The main satellite was tasked with space science research, including the observation of auroras.

Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said in a televised briefing that the fourth launch of Nuri was successful, describing it as a crucial turning point in shifting the country’s space industry from a government-centric model to a private-driven one.

Hanwha Aerospace led the production and assembly of the launch vehicle and took part in the launch operations under KARI’s supervision, marking the first joint effort between the public and private sectors.

The first Nuri launch in October 2021 failed to reach orbit. In June 2022, the rocket successfully placed a dummy satellite into orbit, and in May 2023, it carried a small satellite along with seven cube satellites into orbit.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA