South Korea's Nuri rocket set for October 7 launch with record 15 satellites

South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket is slated for its fifth space mission on October 7, aiming to deploy a record 15 satellites into orbit. This launch marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time South Korea deploys cluster satellites, designed for high-frequency, precision monitoring for national security and disaster response.

The launch window is set between 12:23 PM and 1:23 PM KST, with the exact time to be finalized on the launch day. A backup period from October 8 to 14 has been established to accommodate potential disruptions from weather or space conditions. The decision on the launch time considers the operational needs of the cluster satellites.

Preparations are well underway at the Naro Space Center in Goheung. The Nuri rocket is undergoing final assembly, including the integration of propellant. The five cluster satellites arrived on August 24 and are undergoing functional checks, while ten CubeSats developed by research institutions are expected by August 31.

Comprehensive training exercises involving 12 government, military, and local agencies are planned for early September to simulate emergency scenarios and ensure public safety. Oh Tae-seok, head of the Space Agency, expressed confidence that the fifth Nuri launch will significantly advance the rocket's capabilities and South Korea's space transport capacity, especially with the deployment of cluster satellites.

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This fifth Nuri rocket launch, carrying a record 15 satellites and deploying cluster satellites for the first time in the country, is an important mission that will serve as an opportunity to advance the mission performance and space transport capabilities of Nuri by one step.