Goheung: South Korea has marked a significant milestone in its space exploration journey with the successful fourth launch of the domestically developed Nuri rocket, now under the assembly of Hanwha Aerospace Co. for the first time. This event represents South Korea’s strategic shift towards empowering the private sector in space technology, as noted by experts on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 200-ton Nuri was launched from Naro Space Center in Goheung, located 473 kilometers south of Seoul, at 1:13 a.m., successfully deploying 13 satellites into orbit. This launch achieved an altitude of 600 km, an improvement from the 550 km reached during the previous launch in May 2023, and carried a payload of 960 kilograms, nearly twice the previous 500 kg.
A significant development in this fourth launch was Hanwha Aerospace’s role in the manufacturing and assembly of Nuri, facilitated by a technology transfer from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). Huh Hwan-il, an aerospace engineering pr
ofessor at Chungnam National University, emphasized that this successful launch marks the beginning of South Korea’s space exploration led by the private sector.
Huh further pointed out that South Korea aims to inaugurate a new era of space exploration driven by the private sector, thereby promoting a space economy. He stressed the importance of preparing to transfer technologies to businesses, enabling them to fully exploit the space development capabilities established by the government. Drawing parallels, Huh mentioned that Japan began transferring relevant technologies two decades ago, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries now spearheading their launch services.
Echoing this sentiment, Lee Chang-jin, an aerospace engineering professor at Konkuk University, noted the necessity for South Korea to maintain the momentum for private sector-led space rocket development. He remarked on the advent of a new space era, characterized by active business participation in rocket development processes.
In a strategic move
in July, Hanwha Aerospace entered into a 24 billion-won (US$16.2 million) contract to acquire Nuri space rocket technologies from KARI, which has been at the forefront of the Nuri project. This agreement grants Hanwha Aerospace access to technologies encompassing the entire lifecycle of launch vehicle development, including design, manufacturing, and launch operations, though it excludes technologies related to Nuri’s launchpad and propulsion test facilities.
With this contract, Hanwha Aerospace has secured exclusive manufacturing and launch rights for the Nuri rocket through 2032. Looking ahead, South Korea plans to proceed with the fifth launch in 2026, followed by another in 2027. Kim Seung-jo, former head of KARI, emphasized the need to adjust various environments to enable the private sector to anticipate profits from space programs.