[Nuri 4th Launch] Set for 12:55 a.m. on the 27th: "First Nighttime Flight, Full-Scale Civilian Participation" (Comprehensive)

Launch Management Committee:
"All Items Satisfactory... Early Morning Flight to Proceed as Planned"

The Korean launch vehicle Nuri is scheduled to embark on its fourth flight at 12:55 a.m. on November 27. As this marks the first nighttime launch and a turning point with the full implementation of a civilian-led manufacturing system, the Korea Aerospace Agency and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute have finalized the launch time after a thorough inspection of weather, technical readiness, space environment, and safety factors.

Yoon Youngbin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Agency, visited the press room at 8:15 p.m. on the 26th after concluding the Launch Management Committee meeting and is giving a briefing. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Launch Management Committee: "Weather, technical, and space environment conditions are all favorable... No issues with early morning launch"

The Korea Aerospace Agency and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute held the Launch Management Committee meeting at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, at 7:30 p.m. on the 26th. After a comprehensive analysis of technical readiness, weather conditions, space environment, and the possibility of collisions with space objects, they announced that a launch at 12:55 a.m. would be feasible.

On the 26th, the temperature at Naro Space Center was 9 degrees Celsius with no precipitation, and clear weather was forecast for the launch time. The average ground wind speed was 1 m/s, and upper-level wind conditions also met all criteria. The possibility of lightning along the flight path was ruled out. The impact of space weather, such as solar flares or geomagnetic disturbances, was minimal, and it was confirmed that there was no risk of collision with orbital objects, including the International Space Station (ISS).

Yoon Youngbin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Agency, stated, "All inspection items are satisfactory," and added, "We will remain vigilant until the moment of launch to ensure that the primary payload, the Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3, enters its designated orbit precisely."

Nuri rocket preparing for its journey to space on the night of the 26th. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Separation and descent of stages 1, 2, and 3 pre-verified..."Debris to fall within designated maritime safety zones"

The Launch Management Committee also explained the safety of the sequential stage separations and debris after launch. The Korea Aerospace Agency emphasized, "Nuri is designed for maritime descent, and all areas where the first and second stages and the fairing separate are designated as no-fly maritime zones," highlighting that there is no risk of damage from falling debris.

After the first stage separates, the second stage ignites, and the fairing is jettisoned. The third stage then accelerates to a speed of 7.6 km/s at an altitude of approximately 600 km, at which point satellite separation occurs sequentially. The Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3 will separate first, followed by the sequential separation of a total of 12 small satellites at 20-second intervals. The entire satellite separation process is expected to be completed within approximately 20 to 24 minutes after launch.

Propellant filling to begin at 10:10 p.m.... Switch to 'Pre Launch Operation (PLO)' mode 10 minutes before launch

Most technical preparations are in their final stages. On this day, Nuri completed umbilical connections and leak checks in the morning and was secured to the launch pad. At 6:45 p.m., launch control equipment operation began, and from 7:25 p.m., propellant supply system checks and ambient temperature helium filling were carried out.

According to the decision of the Launch Management Committee, Nuri will begin fueling with propellant and oxidizer at 10:10 p.m. Fueling is expected to be completed around 11:25 p.m. for propellant and 11:55 p.m. for oxidizer. At 12:45 a.m., 10 minutes before launch, the system will switch to Pre Launch Operation (PLO) mode for final checks.

Nuri rocket awaiting launch on the night of the 26th at Naro Space Center launch pad. Provided by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

"12:55 a.m. is the safest time"... Collision avoidance with space objects considered

The initially announced launch window was from 12:54 a.m. to 1:14 a.m., but exactly 12:55 a.m. was chosen for a specific reason. The Korea Aerospace Agency explained, "An advance analysis of the risk of collision with space objects determined that this time is the safest." In particular, the sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) requires the satellite to pass over the Earth at the same time each day, greatly limiting the choice of launch time.

This launch marks the first case of direct participation by private companies in the assembly and launch operations. Hanwha Aerospace is involved in both manufacturing and operations, signaling a full-fledged transition to a civilian-led system. The Korea Aerospace Agency stated, "Hanwha executives are also participating in the Launch Management Committee, and most launch operations are being jointly conducted by the public and private sectors."

Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3 to conduct climate, environmental, space environment, and bio experiments

The primary payload, the Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3, is tasked mainly with climate and environmental observation. It is equipped with high-resolution observation instruments for analyzing surface characteristics and solar radiation, as well as sensors for space plasma and magnetic field observation. It also carries a capsule payload for space bio experiments.

Regarding the success criteria for the launch, the Korea Aerospace Agency stated, "If the third stage reaches the target velocity and all 13 satellites are separated normally, the launch will be considered a success." Administrator Yoon emphasized, "Although this is the first nighttime launch, all procedures are proceeding smoothly," and added, "We will do our utmost until the very last moment before launch."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.