Nuriho Achieves Successful Fourth Pre-Dawn Flight: Reaches 600 km and Deploys 13 Satellites

Entered Target Orbit in 12 Minutes 24 Seconds After 1:13 a.m. Launch
13 Satellites, Including Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3, Deployed Sequentially
Korea AeroSpace Administration: "Final Success to Be Announced After Data Analysis"

The Korean launch vehicle Nuriho is being launched in the early morning of the 27th at Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Yonhap News

At 1:13 a.m. on the 27th, Nuriho pierced the darkness and soared into space. During its fourth launch, Nuriho followed the planned flight procedures, reached its target altitude, and completed its mission by sequentially deploying all 13 onboard satellites.

According to the Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Nuriho lifted off from Launch Pad 2 at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, and completed all mission objectives after approximately 18 minutes of flight, at around 1:31 a.m. During this process, the main payload, the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3, as well as 12 CubeSats, were separated in sequence.

This launch had the same basic structure as the third launch conducted in 2023, but the target altitude was higher at 600 km, and the number of onboard satellites increased by five, carrying a total of 13. Due to the increased weight and changes in flight conditions, the total flight time was 1,284 seconds (12 minutes and 24 seconds), which is 146 seconds longer than the third launch.

On the 27th, when the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho was launched, spectators at the Goheung Space Launch Observatory in Goheung County, Jeollanam-do, were watching Nuriho soaring into the sky. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Immediately after liftoff, Nuriho separated its first stage, followed by the fairing and the second stage in sequence. After approximately 12 minutes and 35 seconds, it reached the target altitude and first deployed the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3, then released the CubeSats at 20-second intervals, successfully completing all planned tasks.

Weather conditions introduced some variables to the schedule. The transportation of the launch vehicle, originally scheduled for the morning of the 25th, was delayed by about an hour and a half due to rain forecasts, which in turn postponed the assembly and inspection schedule. The research team finalized the umbilical connection and airtightness tests by the morning before launch, adjusting the launch time accordingly.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute have not yet officially confirmed the final success of the mission. An official assessment of success will be possible after analyzing flight data for about 40 minutes, and the Korea AeroSpace Administration plans to announce the results at around 2:20 a.m. on this day. However, since the separation of all 13 satellites has been confirmed, the likelihood of success is considered high.

Yoon Youngbin, head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, stated at a briefing the previous day that the criteria for success are "precisely deploying the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3 and the 12 secondary payload satellites at the target altitude of 600 km and at the required velocity."