![Researchers complete final assembly of the Nuri rocket at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea. [Photo: Korea Aerospace Research Institute]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2025/11/24/20251124082815836202.jpg)
SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - South Korea's homegrown space rocket Nuri is set for liftoff later this week after completing final rehearsals and technical checks, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said on Monday.
The rocket, dubbed KSLV-II, is scheduled for launch at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province on Thursday. If any unexpected issues arise, additional launch windows are available from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4.
The rocket will be moved to the launch pad on Tuesday, with final preparations underway. The liftoff has been tentatively set for between 12:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m., with the exact time to be decided the previous day.
Hanwha Aerospace, which participated in the rocket's production from the beginning, oversaw Nuri's assembly, which started in early October, with the first- and second-stage engines completed over the following weeks without any hitches.
The first civilian-led mission is to put a next-generation medium-sized satellite into orbit approximately 600 km above Earth's surface to observe the planet's magnetic field and auroras. Along with the main satellite, the launch vehicle will also carry 12 smaller satellites.
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