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South Korea’s Nuri Rocket Completes Fourth Flight, Deploying 13 Satellites

Hanwha’s lead role in building the launcher marks a shift toward commercial operations for Korea’s space program.

Overview

  • Nuri lifted off from the Naro Space Center at 1:13 a.m. local time after a pressure‑sensor signal from an umbilical delayed the planned 12:55 a.m. launch.
  • The rocket reached its target orbit of about 600 kilometers and released the CAS500-3 first, followed by 12 CubeSats developed by domestic teams.
  • Officials confirmed mission success, with the flight ending at 1:31 a.m., and KARI is analyzing post‑launch telemetry and payload confirmations.
  • The nighttime liftoff was the program’s first, selected to meet orbital requirements for aurora and space‑science observations.
  • Hanwha Aerospace oversaw full assembly for the first time under a government plan to transfer launch capabilities to industry and build a repeatable commercial service.