SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - South Korea will launch its fifth next-generation satellite this fall, with preparations set to begin early next month, according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA).
During a press conference at the country's space agency in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the agency's chief Oh Tae-seok said the three-stage rocket (KSLV-II), known as "Nuri" will begin assembly next week with a possible liftoff in September.
"Once assembly is completed, the exact launch date will be decided sometime in August. Under the current plan, we are aiming for a September launch," Oh said.
The upcoming launch, about 10 months after the previous one in November last year, will be the third involving Hanwha Aerospace, as the aerospace and defense company was selected in 2023 as the main contractor for the Nuri's upgrade program.
Oh said the KASA will accelerate efforts to build a system capable of operating reusable launch vehicles by shifting to private-sector-led commercial launch services, with the aim of carrying out two to three or more launches a year after 2030.
To achieve the goal, the KASA has been looking for candidate sites for a new space center with plans to break ground in 2028. Once another space center is built, it would give South Korea the next-generation launch infrastructure it needs to expand its space ambitions.
Separately, a private-use launch facility is under construction near the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, with plans to open in July next year.
Oh said the KASA is also undergoing an organizational overhaul to boost competitiveness and promote international cooperation, although he gave no further details.
During a press conference at the country's space agency in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the agency's chief Oh Tae-seok said the three-stage rocket (KSLV-II), known as "Nuri" will begin assembly next week with a possible liftoff in September.
"Once assembly is completed, the exact launch date will be decided sometime in August. Under the current plan, we are aiming for a September launch," Oh said.
The upcoming launch, about 10 months after the previous one in November last year, will be the third involving Hanwha Aerospace, as the aerospace and defense company was selected in 2023 as the main contractor for the Nuri's upgrade program.
Oh said the KASA will accelerate efforts to build a system capable of operating reusable launch vehicles by shifting to private-sector-led commercial launch services, with the aim of carrying out two to three or more launches a year after 2030.
To achieve the goal, the KASA has been looking for candidate sites for a new space center with plans to break ground in 2028. Once another space center is built, it would give South Korea the next-generation launch infrastructure it needs to expand its space ambitions.
Separately, a private-use launch facility is under construction near the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, with plans to open in July next year.
Oh said the KASA is also undergoing an organizational overhaul to boost competitiveness and promote international cooperation, although he gave no further details.
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