[Anchor]
The fifth launch of the Nuri space launch vehicle, developed entirely with domestic technology, has been successfully completed. A total of 14 satellites, including five cluster satellites as the primary payloads, were simultaneously sent into space. The view of the blue Earth from space is breathtaking.
Reporter Jang Seon-i has the details.
[Reporter]
Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do.
The fifth Nuri rocket powerfully lifts off, emitting a roaring sound and fierce flames.
As Nuri surges into space, cheers erupt from citizens.
[Lee Soon-deok / Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do: It was so wonderful. I was so touched. I feel like crying.]
Two minutes and one second after launch, the first stage, which helped break free from Earth's gravity, fulfilled its role and fell into the sea. Subsequently, the blue Earth against pitch-black space was clearly captured by the camera mounted on Nuri.
Thirteen minutes and 15 seconds after launch, reaching an altitude of 576 km, the first of the cluster satellites separated from Nuri and headed into space.
Nuri gradually rotated its body and successfully placed the remaining four cluster satellites into orbit.
Then, the separation of 10 microwave-sized cube satellites proceeded.
Two of them were ejected simultaneously at 10-second intervals. At the moment when the 5th and 6th cube satellites were supposed to separate, the 6th satellite was captured by Nuri's camera, but the 5th satellite was not visible.
This was because the lid of the deployment canister did not open, preventing it from separating from Nuri.
Thus, 14 out of the total 15 satellites successfully arrived in space.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration evaluated the launch as a success, stating that the five primary payload satellites were accurately placed into orbit and that Nuri's performance and operation were flawless.
[Oh Tae-seok / Administrator, Korea AeroSpace Administration: With the success of the 5th launch, Nuri's cumulative launch success rate has increased from 75% to 80%, further enhancing its reliability.]
Following the failure of the first launch five years ago, all four subsequent launches have succeeded. Nuri's goal is to launch at least once a year until 2032, moving beyond the transition to commercial launches to sending an exploration probe to the Moon.
(Video by Lee Chan-soo | Video Editing by Kim Yoon-sung)
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