South Korea's Nuri rocket prepares for pivotal fourth launch with 13 satellites

South Korea’s Nuri rocket is ready for its fourth launch from the Naro Space Center in Goheung. The mission will carry one medium-sized satellite and twelve cube satellites into orbit. This launch is the first time Hanwha Aerospace has managed the entire assembly process for the rocket. Preparations for the launch were completed on November 25. Nuri is scheduled to lift off at around 1 a.m. on November 26, though the exact time will be confirmed later that evening. The rocket aims to reach an altitude of 600 kilometres.

Nuri’s first attempt in October 2021 failed to enter orbit. However, the second launch in June 2022 successfully placed two satellites into orbit. The third mission in May 2023 deployed eight satellites. After releasing all payloads this time, Nuri will perform a collision-avoidance manoeuvre and finish its 21-minute-and-24-second flight. The launch will test Hanwha Aerospace’s full assembly capabilities for the Nuri programme. If successful, the mission will add 13 new satellites to orbit. The rocket’s performance will be closely monitored throughout its flight.