South Korea’s Nuri launch vehicle (누리호) is scheduled to make its fifth launch on Wednesday, carrying 15 satellites into orbit. The launch is scheduled for around 12:25 p.m. at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, about 330 km south of Seoul. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (우주항공청; KASA) said the exact time would be decided later in the morning.

The payload consists of five NEONSAT microsatellites, part of a constellation of Earth-observation satellites for national security (국가안전용 지구관측 위성군), and 10 CubeSats. The five NEONSAT satellites will be part of the first microsatellite constellation Korea launches domestically.

Background and context

One day before launch, Nuri was moved from the assembly building to the launch pad, where it was erected vertically and secured. The launch team completed the move from the assembly building to the launch pad at 7:30 a.m.; the transfer took 90 minutes. The rocket was erected vertically on the pad at 10:35 a.m.

Before launch, the team is scheduled to complete system checks and then begin loading the third-stage rocket with kerosene fuel and liquid oxygen, the liquid oxidizer, about four hours before launch. After launch, Nuri’s first and second stages are scheduled to separate at about 123 seconds and 268 seconds, respectively. Satellite deployment is scheduled to begin at an altitude of about 575 km, between 810 and 960 seconds after launch. NEONSAT satellites 2 through 6 are scheduled to be deployed at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds.

What this news means

This launch is notable both as a mission to carry 15 satellites at once and as an attempt to place in orbit part of the first microsatellite constellation Korea launches domestically. If the launch and satellite deployment proceed as planned, it could mark progress in linking Nuri’s launch capabilities to the operation of actual satellites. However, what is currently confirmed is the planned launch and deployment; whether they will succeed is not yet known.

What is confirmed and what is not yet known

Confirmed

  • Nuri is preparing for its fifth launch and will carry 15 satellites.
  • The payload consists of five NEONSAT microsatellites and 10 CubeSats.
  • The launch site is the Naro Space Center in Goheung, and the launch is scheduled for around 12:25 p.m.
  • Satellite deployment is scheduled to begin at an altitude of about 575 km, between 810 and 960 seconds after launch.

Not yet known

  • The exact launch time has not yet been set.
  • It has not been confirmed whether the launch will proceed as scheduled or whether the satellites will be placed into orbit successfully.

What readers should check

  • Check the exact launch time announced by the Korea AeroSpace Administration on the morning of launch.
  • Distinguish between the scheduled launch time and whether the launch actually takes place.
  • After launch, check whether the deployment of all 15 satellites into orbit has been confirmed and whether NEONSAT satellites 2 through 6 separated in sequence.

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