Earth Captured by Nuriho... Footage from Onboard Camera Released

Korea Aerospace Research Institute "Shows Normal Flight Process Well"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] It has been confirmed that the Korean space launch vehicle 'Nuriho,' launched on the afternoon of the 21st, performed a normal flight.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) released footage taken by a camera mounted on Nuriho on the morning of the 28th. The video vividly captures the flight process of Nuriho: first stage ignition and liftoff → first stage separation and second stage ignition → fairing separation → second stage separation and third stage ignition → satellite mock-up separation.

According to the footage, Nuriho ignited about 4 seconds before liftoff, reached maximum thrust, and then lifted off. At the same time, the scene of the umbilical cable separating from the launch pad was confirmed. Also, at the moment of first stage separation, the first stage engine shutdown, first stage separation, and second stage engine ignition proceeded sequentially. After first stage separation and second stage engine ignition, the second stage engine used its nozzle for fine adjustments for attitude control, and the footage also shows the falling of the separated first stage.

In particular, during the second stage operation, after first stage separation, the payload fairing was safely separated, and the satellite mock-up mounted on the third stage was confirmed. The footage also shows the separated fairing falling to the ground. Nuriho's fairing consists of two parts, but due to the camera installation position, only one fairing is visible in this video; however, KARI explained that both fairings were separated normally.

Additionally, the footage captured the view of Earth after stage separation, the third stage engine igniting normally in space, and the falling of the separated second stage. Finally, after the third stage rocket finished, the satellite mock-up was safely separated.

KARI explained, "Although the early shutdown of the third stage engine prevented the satellite from being inserted into an altitude of 700 km, it can be confirmed that the satellite mock-up separation proceeded normally."

Below are the key scenes from the Nuriho footage by stage.

Nuriho Launch Scene

Nuriho Filming Video - First Stage Separation and Second Stage Ignition Scene.

Nuriho Filming Video - Fairing Separation.

Nuriho Filming Video - Second Stage Separation Followed by Third Stage Ignition.

Nuriho Filming Video - Satellite Mock-up Separation.