The Nuri rocket is preparing for its fifth space flight, set to launch on October 7 from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. This mission will carry a record 15 satellites, which will be deployed at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds in a complex operation.
The Nuri rocket completed mechanical assembly of its first, second, and third stages on September 29. Final checks related to assembly will be completed by October 5, after which the rocket will be transported to the second launch pad on October 6. This will be followed by upright positioning, securing, and checks of electrical and propellant supply systems.
▲ A Record 15 Satellites in Space
The most notable change in this launch is the number of satellites being deployed. The Nuri rocket will carry five main payloads, the small cluster satellites Neonsat 2 to 6, along with ten additional CubeSats, totaling 15 satellites. This is the highest number of satellites ever launched by the Nuri rocket.
Notably, this mission marks the first domestic launch of multiple Neonsat satellites simultaneously. Neonsat satellites are designed to frequently observe the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas using a fleet of small satellites. Each satellite weighs less than 100 kg and is equipped with black-and-white and color electro-optical cameras. They can be utilized for disaster response, such as wildfires and floods, as well as for national security purposes.
The first satellite, Neonsat 1, was launched in April 2024 from New Zealand. With the addition of satellites 2 to 6, the goal is to capture images of the Korean Peninsula more than three times a day and to re-photograph the same area within 24 hours once the satellite constellation is fully operational.
▲ Deploying Satellites Every 35-40 Seconds: Accuracy is Key
With the increase in the number of satellites, the mission has become more complex. The Nuri rocket will not deploy all five Neonsat satellites at once after reaching the target altitude. To prevent collisions, the satellites will be deployed one at a time, changing orientation and releasing them in different directions at 35 to 40-second intervals. Following this, the ten CubeSats will also be deployed sequentially.
A new low-impact satellite separation device will be used in this launch to minimize shocks during the deployment of multiple satellites. Achieving precise placement of the satellites in their intended orbits is also crucial.
The target altitude for the main payload, the Neonsat satellites, is 570 km. The success criterion is to deploy the Neonsat satellites within ±15 km of this altitude. This represents a higher precision requirement compared to the previous launch, which aimed for an altitude of 600 km with a tolerance of ±35 km.
The success of the fifth launch will be determined by the deployment of the Neonsat satellites into their target orbits. If the ten CubeSats are also successfully placed, the secondary mission will be considered successful.
▲ This Time, Launching During the Day
The launch time will also differ from previous missions. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute has set the launch window for October 7 from 12:23 PM to 1:23 PM, marking the earliest launch time for the Nuri rocket.
The decision to launch during the day was made considering the operational conditions for the main payload satellites. The launch management committee will finalize the launch time after reviewing weather conditions and the potential for collisions with space objects on the day of the launch.
The Nuri rocket achieved its first successful launch on June 2, 2022, when it placed a performance verification satellite into its target orbit. Since then, it has continued missions to transport operational satellites into space.
This upcoming launch will test the Nuri rocket's enhanced satellite transport capabilities, as it carries more satellites and must deploy them sequentially to avoid collisions while ensuring precise placement within a narrower margin of error.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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