KASA Administrator: Nuri Rocket Reached Target Orbit Following Scheduled Flight Procedures

 
 
South Korea's homegrown space launch vehicle Nuri, launched from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on October 7, successfully separated all 15 payloads.

Liftoff occurred at 12:25 PM today, with the first stage, fairing, and second stage separating sequentially according to plan.

Approximately 12 minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff, following the cutoff of the third-stage engine, the satellites were deployed sequentially at the target altitude of roughly 575 kilometers.

First, micro-cluster satellites 2 through 6 were ejected one by one at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds.

During the deployment of the micro-cluster satellites, a separation sequence was applied that rotated the upper stage of the launch vehicle by 30 and 60 degrees to prevent collisions between the satellites.

Placing all five micro-cluster satellites into an orbit at an altitude of 570 kilometers is the core mission of the fifth launch of Nuri.

While the fourth launch of Nuri featured a single primary payload, the number increased to five for this launch.

Applaus erupted at the launch site after the sixth micro-cluster satellite was deployed.

Following the micro-cluster satellites, ten cubesats were subsequently separated in pairs at 10-second intervals.

During a briefing at 1:00 PM today, Korea Aerospace Administration Administrator Oh Tae-seok noted that this marked the first time in launch history that liftoff took place precisely at the scheduled time, adding that comprehensive analysis of flight data and video confirms Nuri reached its target orbit in accordance with scheduled flight procedures.

He further stated that satellite separation is estimated to have been performed normally in line with initial plans, adding that the Korea Aerospace Research Institute is conducting detailed analyses of telemetry data to make a final determination on Nuri's mission performance.

Having deployed all satellites, Nuri will perform avoidance maneuvers to prevent collisions with the satellites and vent remaining propellant, after which it will orbit before re-entering the atmosphere and burning up.

Administrator Oh explained that follow-up measures were completed for Nuri's spent third stage to vent remaining propellants such as oxidizers and helium in order to prevent collisions with separated satellites and spontaneous explosions in orbit.

The Korea Aerospace Administration plans to announce the success and other details of Nuri's fifth launch through a detailed briefing at 2:00 PM.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.