[Nuri Rocket 4th Launch] Nuri Rocket Lifts Off at 1:13 a.m.... No Issues in Satellite Separation or Initial Communication (Comprehensive)

First Night Launch Led by Private Sector Succeeds
Initial Communication with Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3 Officially Confirmed

On the early morning of November 27, the fourth launch of the Nuri rocket was successfully carried out, with 13 satellites separated into orbit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon officially announced.

Deputy Prime Minister Bae confirmed, "We have verified the signal reception from the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3 at 1:55 a.m.," confirming that the Nuri rocket's flight was successfully completed.

Nuriho No. 4 starting its flight toward space. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Launch delayed by 18 minutes, but all flight procedures were normal... All 13 satellites separated

The Nuri rocket was originally scheduled for launch at 12:55 a.m., but an abnormal signal was detected from the pressure sensor of the umbilical retrieval device just before the Pre-Launch Operation (PLO), resulting in an 18-minute delay. On-site inspection confirmed that the pressure was normal and that only the sensor signal was faulty, so the launch time was adjusted to 1:13 a.m. within the permitted launch window (12:54 a.m. to 1:14 a.m.).

The Nuri rocket ignited at 1:13 a.m., separated its first stage about two minutes after liftoff, jettisoned its fairing at about three minutes and 50 seconds, and precisely separated the second stage at four minutes and 30 seconds. After that, the third-stage engine reached its target velocity, ejecting the main payload, the Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3, first, followed by the sequential separation of a total of 12 CubeSats at intervals of about 20 seconds each.

The Korea Aerospace Administration stated, "All 13 satellites were successfully inserted into orbit," and that the entire flight sequence proceeded as planned. The complete flight of the Nuri rocket was concluded at 1:31 a.m.

Yoon Youngbin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, celebrating at the Naro Space Center Launch Command Center after the successful fourth launch of the Nuri rocket. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3 achieves first communication 42 minutes after launch... 14 ground station checks scheduled

The main payload, Next-Generation Medium Satellite No. 3, succeeded in its first communication with the ground station at the King Sejong Station in Antarctica at 1:55 a.m. The initial communication confirmed that all key systems, including solar panel deployment, attitude stabilization, and power supply, were operating normally.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute has scheduled two communications with the Daejeon ground station at 2:39 a.m. and 11:57 a.m. on the same day, and a total of 14 communications with overseas ground stations, including King Sejong Station in Antarctica and Svalbard in Norway, are planned until 11:59 a.m.

Successful initial communication is a key indicator for assessing satellite operational stability and marks the starting point for future Earth observation and climate monitoring missions.

Government: "First success led by the private sector... Nuri rocket reliability takes a leap forward"

Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyunghoon stated, "This launch is the first case in which the private sector has been fully involved in manufacturing, assembly, and operation, and I am very pleased to be able to share this success with the public." Yoon Youngbin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration, also said, "The consecutive successes of the Nuri rocket once again confirm that Korea possesses independent space transportation capabilities."

The government plans to conduct two additional Nuri rocket launches by 2027 and to accelerate the development of a next-generation launch vehicle based on liquid methane, further enhancing Korea's space transportation capabilities.