[Full Text] President Moon's National Message on Observing Nuriho Launch

Dear fellow citizens,

To all space science and technology professionals,

The Nuriho flight test has been completed. We are proud.

Although we did not perfectly reach our goal,

we achieved excellent results on the first launch.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

From launch control to liftoff,

two engine ignitions and rocket separations in the air,

to the separation of the fairing and dummy satellite, everything proceeded smoothly.

These are completely independent technologies developed by us.

However, placing the dummy satellite into orbit

remains an unfinished task.

Still, sending the launch vehicle to an altitude of 700 km in space

is a remarkable achievement and brings us closer to space.

It has been 12 years since the Nuriho development project began,

and we have come this far.

Now, we only need to take one more step forward.

To the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, academia,

and over 300 domestic companies’ researchers, workers, and entrepreneurs

who have devoted themselves to research and development with indomitable spirit and patience for a long time,

I sincerely offer my respect and encouragement.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

If we review and supplement the shortcomings from today,

the second launch scheduled for May next year

will surely be a complete success.

Please give a little more strength.

Fellow citizens will also continue to send unwavering support until the end.

I deeply thank the residents of Goheung, the military, and the police

who worked hard to ensure today’s launch test was conducted safely.

Dear citizens,

Space launch vehicle technology is the culmination of national science and technology capabilities.

It requires the support of various fields, from basic science to electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and chemical engineering, optics, and new materials.

Only six countries in the world can launch satellites weighing over one ton by themselves.

These technologies are fiercely guarded by the countries that developed them first,

making it very difficult for latecomer countries to acquire them.

However, we have succeeded.

Without anyone’s help, we developed ultra-precise and highly complex space launch vehicle technology on our own.

We made tanks that can safely store cryogenic oxidizers while reducing thickness to 2.5 millimeters,

and secured clustering technology where four 75-ton thrust engines operate like a single 300-ton class engine.

The Nuriho rocket engine withstood high pressure,

and stably combusted fuel amid flames of 3,300 degrees Celsius and cryogenic temperatures of minus 183 degrees Celsius.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The day is not far when we will load satellites we made onto launch vehicles we made

and accurately launch them into target orbits.

The “Korean Space Age” is approaching.

Dear citizens,

Humanity has nurtured dreams gazing at the vast universe since ancient times.

Imagination and challenges toward space

have laid the foundation for scientific advancement and civilization progress.

Since the 1950s, space development began in earnest

for regime competition and national security purposes,

but today, it has become a catalyst for numerous technological innovations that change everyday life.

Artificial satellites are increasingly used not only for broadcasting, communication, and GPS,

but also for environment and land management, disaster and emergency response.

We have already built and operated practical satellites ourselves,

but had to rely on other countries’ launch vehicles.

Now, if we take one more step forward,

we will be able to operate various satellites using our own launch vehicles.

The world is now entering the “New Space” era.

Over the past decade, the global space industry has more than doubled,

and space development itself has become an industry.

Dreamlike events such as civilians traveling to space and returning

are already becoming reality.

Countries leading space development will lead the future.

We are not late.

If the performance of Nuriho becomes a little more precise,

we will secure independent space transportation capabilities

and open the “Korean Space Age.”

The government will

invest unwaveringly with a long-term perspective

so that Korea can leap forward as a genuine space power.

First, we will steadily improve the performance of Korean launch vehicles

and continue to expand satellite utilization.

We will launch Nuriho five more times by 2027.

In May next year, through the second launch carrying a performance verification satellite,

we will once again thoroughly check Nuriho’s functions.

After that, we will load currently developing satellites such as the second next-generation small satellite, the third next-generation medium satellite,

and eleven ultra-small cluster satellites onto Nuriho and send them to space.

Over the next ten years,

more than 100 satellites will be launched in the public sector alone.

We will strive to develop various launch vehicles, not only Nuriho,

so that all can be launched by our own hands.

Starting next year, we will actively promote the Korean Satellite Navigation System (KPS) development project,

investing a total of 3.7 trillion won.

It will provide citizens with more precise GPS information,

and be a groundbreaking turning point for the development of the 4th industry such as autonomous vehicles and drones.

Second, we will transfer space technology to the private sector

and firmly establish the space industry as a new growth engine.

With the end of the Korea-US missile guidelines,

we can freely develop various space launch vehicles.

Although smaller than liquid-fueled launch vehicles like Nuriho,

solid-fueled launch vehicles with lower launch costs

will have high utility in the private sector.

By 2024, we will strengthen public-private technological cooperation

to enable private companies to develop solid-fueled launch vehicles,

and build a private launch pad at Naro Space Center

to foster the launch specialized industry.

Through new forms of space exploration,

we will lead qualitative growth of the space industry along with technological and industrial development.

We will actively enter the “New Space” competition.

Next month, the chairperson of the National Space Committee

will be elevated from the Minister of Science and ICT to the Prime Minister.

By consolidating public and private capabilities,

we will support policy-wise and institutionally

so that a world-class space company will soon be born in Korea.

Third, we will take bolder challenges in space exploration projects.

By 2030, we will realize the dream of lunar landing using our launch vehicles.

We will prepare step by step from now on.

Next year, we will launch a lunar orbiter,

and participate in NASA’s manned lunar exploration project, the “Artemis Program,”

which is being promoted for the first time in 50 years,

to accumulate technology and experience.

In 2023, we will install a solar observation telescope, co-developed with NASA,

on the International Space Station.

We are also planning an Apophis asteroid exploration mission,

which will approach Earth in 2029.

Through various space exploration projects,

we will firmly build the foundation for space industry and technological development.

Dear fellow citizens,

To all space science and technology professionals,

In February, a Mars probe from the United States sent back the sound of Martian wind

to Earth.

It gifted a wondrous moment to the 7.8 billion people of humanity.

We can do it too.

Although we started late,

we have achieved an important result today.

If we further nurture our dreams toward space,

we will soon stand shoulder to shoulder with space powers.

Once again, congratulations on today’s success.

Let us advance more vigorously toward the vast universe and a new future with Nuriho.

Thank you.

October 21, 2021

Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea