Private sector plays key role in Nuri rocket’s successful launch

The successful launch of Korea’s domestically developed Nuri space rocket on Thursday brought private companies’ technologies into the spotlight, signaling the emergence of space development as a commercial industry in Korea. The Nuri successfully lifted off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, at 1:13 a.m., reaching its target altitude of 600 kilometers after 18 minutes and 25 seconds of flight. It deployed 13 payloads, including its main payload, the CAS500-3 satellite, and 12 cube satellites. The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) said Thursday that the CAS500-3 satellite successfully established communication with ground stations and five cube satellites also completed initial contact. Communication attempts with the remaining satellites were scheduled to follow. The latest mission, marking the fourth launch of a Nuri rocket, signals a major transition in Korea’s space ecosystem. Private companies Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) built the launch vehicle and main satellite, respectively, roles that were previously handled by the