KASA decided to launch the rocket on Oct. 7, at a meeting in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province earlier in the day after reviewing preparations for the space mission.
The rocket carrying 15 satellites is scheduled to lift off between 12:23 p.m. and 1:23 p.m., with the exact time to be determined on the day based on weather and other conditions. A backup window has also been set from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14 in case of unexpected changes.
It will be Nuri's fifth launch since its first attempt in October 2021, which failed to place its satellite into orbit. South Korea successfully launched the rocket on its second attempt in June 2022. The third mission in May 2023 deployed eight satellites, while the fourth in November 2025 put 13 satellites into orbit.
The upcoming launch will carry a record 15 satellites including five ultra-small constellation satellites developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to obtain high-resolution images for disaster monitoring and other security purposes.
The launch will also carry satellites developed by universities, research institutes and private companies to observe Earth’s upper atmosphere, monitor fine dust and space radiation, track marine debris, test space communications and evaluate locally developed components.
Preparations are already underway at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, where the final assembly of the Nuri rocket is underway.
The five ultra-small constellation satellites arrived at the center earlier this week and are undergoing final checks before being mounted on the rocket. The remaining 10 small cube-shaped satellites, known as CubeSats, are expected to arrive by the end of August.
"The upcoming launch will be an important mission because it will carry the largest number of satellites along with South Korea's first constellation satellites, helping strengthen the country's space capabilities," Oh Tae-seok, head of KASA, said, vowing that the agency will be fully prepared to ensure a successful launch.
AJP Takeaways
• South Korea will launch its homegrown Nuri rocket for the fifth time on Oct. 7, with liftoff scheduled between 12:23 p.m. and 1:23 p.m. A backup launch window is set for Oct. 8 through Oct. 14.
• The Nuri rocket will carry a record 15 satellites, including five ultra-small satellites developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology for a constellation aimed at disaster monitoring and security purposes.
• The mission will also carry satellites developed by universities, research institutes and private companies for various purposes, including observing Earth's upper atmosphere, monitoring fine dust and space radiation, tracking marine debris and testing space technologies.
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