Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Korea to launch 3rd Nuri space rocket on May 24
Researchers at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute connect the first and second segments of a Nuri space rocket at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. The science ministry said Tuesday that the third Nuri rocket launch is scheduled for May 24. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea will conduct the third launch of its locally developed Nuri space rocket on May 24 as part of the country's efforts to secure its own technology for putting satellites in orbit, the science ministry said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said it held a meeting of the Nuri's launch management committee and decided to launch the next Nuri rocket from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province.
“The launch management committee carefully reviewed preparations for the third Nuri launch, a satellite-mounting schedule, final test plan and various conditions such as weather, space environment and possibility of collision with space objects and set a scheduled launch date of May 24,” the ministry said.
The launch committee added the preliminary launch period was set to between May 25 and 31 in consideration of the possibility of changing the launch schedule in the event of some issues, such as unfavorable weather conditions. The scheduled launch time is also confirmed to be 6:24 p.m.
The ministry said first- and second-stage assembly has been completed for the three-stage Nuri space rocket, and various performance tests are planned. Also, the final environmental tests of eight satellites to be mounted to the third stage are in progress.
The Nuri will carry eight satellites, including one main satellite called the No. 2 next-generation small-size satellite that will conduct ground observation.
“The third Nuri launch is the first attempt to launch a practical satellite. It is also meaningful because this will be the first time for a private company to take part in the launch process,” said Oh Tae-seog, first vice minister of the science ministry.
Last June, Korea succeeded in its second attempt to launch a Nuri space rocket. After, the private company Hanwha Aerospace was selected to receive a technology transfer for the launch vehicle as the government aimed at nurturing the private sector to achieve its space exploration project.
“The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, a private company and related industries are all making their best efforts for the launch and the Ministry of Science and ICT will also do its best to ensure a successful launch,” the vice minister said.
Including the upcoming launch, Korea is scheduled to conduct a total of four test launches until 2027 in order to improve technical reliability.