Successful Fourth Nuri Launch... Kim Youngrok: "The Door to the World’s Top Five Space Powers Has Opened"

Goheung, Jeonnam Emerges as a Forward Base for Korea's New Space Era
Urgent Need to Establish a Space Launch Vehicle Science Complex

Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok (center in the photo) is watching and cheering the fourth launch of the Nuri rocket, which soared powerfully into the sky with a loud roar at 1:13 p.m. on the 27th. Photo captured from Kim Youngrok's Facebook.

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, celebrated the successful fourth launch of the Nuri rocket.

On the 27th, Governor Kim wrote on his Facebook page, "Around 1 a.m. today, the fourth launch of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam, was a great success," adding, "The sight of the Nuri soaring powerfully into the night sky was truly beautiful."

He continued, "I was overwhelmed with emotion, as if the dream of Korea becoming a space powerhouse was unfolding before my eyes," and emphasized, "This launch is especially significant as it marks not only the verification of Nuri, but also the first step toward a transition to a private-sector-led space program."

He also highlighted, "This time, we successfully conducted the first-ever night launch, carrying a record 13 satellites, the most in our nation's history. By repeatedly launching the same type of launch vehicle, we have demonstrated our reliability and practical capabilities in space technology to the world."

Governor Kim also discussed both the development potential and the challenges facing Goheung, Jeonnam, where the fourth Nuri launch took place.

He stated, "Goheung in Jeonnam has now emerged as a forward base for Korea's new space era. This will also serve as a positive signal for attracting the second space center to Goheung. In order for Korea to rise as one of the world's top five space powers, support for the Goheung space launch vehicle industry cluster must be further strengthened."

He went on to say, "It is urgent to establish a space launch vehicle science complex comparable to the Kennedy Space Center in the United States. The expansion of National Route 15 between Goheung and Bongrae to four lanes, as well as the rapid construction of the Goheung-Gwangju space expressway, must also be expedited."

Finally, Governor Kim expressed his gratitude, saying, "I would like to thank the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Aerospace Administration, Hanwha Aerospace, and all partner companies for their dedication. I also extend my special thanks to the residents of Goheung for their support of the space industry."

Meanwhile, the Korea Aerospace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced that at approximately 1:13 a.m. on this day, the Nuri rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 2 at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam, and completed all its missions after about 18 minutes of flight at around 1:31 a.m.

The final results of the fourth Nuri launch will be announced at 2:40 a.m.