Nuriho Launch D-1, Transfer to Launch Pad Begins

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Korean space launch vehicle Nuriho, which will realize South Korea's space independence, has begun moving to the launch pad one day before the launch.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced that the transfer operation to move Nuriho to the launch pad started at 7:20 a.m. on the 20th at the Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do.

Nuriho is loaded onto an unmanned special vehicle (transporter) and transported from the launch vehicle assembly building to the launch pad over about one hour. Afterward, it undergoes a vertical erection preparation process and is erected on the launch pad during the morning. In the afternoon, an umbilical is connected to supply power, fuel, and oxidizer propellants to Nuriho, and a leak-tightness inspection is conducted to check for any leaks.