"Nuri" Succeeds in Its Fifth Mission and Launches 15 Satellites

South Korea announced the successful fifth launch of the domestically built "Nuri" rocket on October 7 from the Naro Space Center in Goheung Town, according to a report by Yonhap news agency citing the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA).

The rocket carried 15 satellites, the largest number on a single mission for "Nuri," including five small "NEONSAT" satellites that form the country's first domestically launched satellite constellation, in addition to ten CubeSats.

The satellites were launched to an altitude of approximately 575 kilometers, and KASA confirmed the success of the mission. This mission marks an important step in South Korea's program to develop its independent space launch capabilities and build small satellite constellations serving civilian and scientific purposes.

Reports vary on whether all ten CubeSats separated or only nine, a detail that preliminary data has not yet resolved. The fifth success reinforces "Nuri"'s position as a national launch vehicle that the country can rely on for upcoming missions instead of depending entirely on foreign rockets.

What Do These Terms Mean?

CubeSat: A small satellite built in standardized units, often used in university research and experiments due to its low cost.

Constellation: A group of satellites working together to cover an area or provide a single service comprehensively.

Launch Center: A site equipped with launch pads and facilities for launching rockets, typically chosen near coastlines for launch path safety.

Independent Launch: A country's ability to launch its space payloads using a rocket of its own manufacture without relying on an external party.