"Quite an Excellent Achievement" "Regrettable but Still a Failure"... Perspectives on the Soaring Nuriho

Korean Launch Vehicle 'Nuriho' Second Launch Scheduled for May Next Year
"All Flight Processes Performed Normally... Early Shutdown of Third Stage Engine Causes Failure to Achieve Low Earth Orbit"

On the afternoon of the 21st, citizens are watching the launch scene of the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho (KSLV-II) from the Bongnam Lighthouse Observatory in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. The photo is not directly related to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] On the 21st, the Korean launch vehicle 'Nuriho (KSLV-II)', which took off amid public attention, reached the target altitude of 700km but ultimately failed to achieve orbit insertion. This has led to mixed feelings of regret and encouragement.

Nuriho was launched at 5 p.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT held a briefing around 7 p.m., about two hours after the launch, stating, "Nuriho, launched at 5 p.m. today, performed all flight processes normally. However, the third-stage engine shut down prematurely, so although the satellite mock-up reached the target altitude of 700km, it did not achieve the required speed of 7.5 km/s and failed to settle into low Earth orbit."

She added, "Although today's launch left some regrets, it completed all major launch stages as the first flight test of a domestically developed launch vehicle: first-stage engine ignition → liftoff → first-stage engine burn and separation → fairing separation → second-stage engine ignition and burn → second-stage separation → third-stage engine ignition and burn → satellite mock-up separation," emphasizing, "It is significant that we confirmed the acquisition of core launch vehicle technologies."

In response to this news, netizens have expressed various reactions. First and foremost, there was an outpouring of support and encouragement for the researchers who worked hard. Comments included, "Thank you to the researchers who devoted themselves to R&D. Looking forward to May next year," "Clap clap clap, it's the first step anyway. Well done," "It's practically a success. Let's move forward step by step for the development of the space industry," and "Though there are some regrets, it's a very commendable achievement. Let's make some improvements and do it properly next time."

President Moon Jae-in, who observed the Nuriho launch at the Naro Space Center, delivered a message to the nation, saying, "From launch control to liftoff, two engine ignitions and rocket separations in the air, fairing and dummy satellite separations all proceeded without issues," and added, "This is completely our own technology. However, placing the dummy satellite into orbit remains an unfinished task."

He continued, "It has been 12 years since the 'Nuriho' development project began. Now, we only need to take one more step. I sincerely express my respect and encouragement to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, academia, and over 300 domestic companies’ researchers, workers, and entrepreneurs who have devoted themselves to R&D with unwavering spirit and patience," and said, "If we review and supplement the shortcomings from today, the second launch scheduled for May next year will surely achieve complete success."

Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT is giving a briefing on the "Nuriho Launch Results" on the afternoon of the 21st at the press room of Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As expectations were high, some expressed disappointment with a somewhat cynical attitude. Comments included, "It's not an unfinished task; it's a 'failure'," "It's very disappointing, but it should still be called a failure," "The goal was satellite orbit insertion, so is it a success just because the rocket was launched? Would running 700m in an 800m race and being carried off be considered a success?" "Waste of taxes. Domestic future space technology wasted," and "More than 10 years have passed, yet it's still Naroho Season 2."

Minister Lim said at the launch briefing, "We thank the public for their generous encouragement and continuous support for the Nuriho launch," and added, "The government humbly accepts today's results and will work to supplement the shortcomings, striving even harder to continue our challenge toward space with the people and to realize the dream of becoming a space power."

This result has raised overall expectations for the next launch. Comments included, "It's proud that we have achieved this much with our own technology. I hope we plant the flag of success in May next year," "The launch success rate itself was 30%. That's truly remarkable," and "Starting is half the battle. It was the first attempt, and there was no major accident. The fact that it reached space itself is an achievement. I believe it will definitely succeed next time."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT will immediately form a 'Launch Investigation Committee' involving researchers from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and external experts to accurately identify the cause of the premature shutdown of the third-stage engine, address the issues, and proceed with the second launch. The second Nuriho launch is scheduled for May next year.