South Korea said on Thursday (May 25) it had successfully launched its homegrown Nuri rocket and placed working satellites into orbit. It helps in hailing a key step forward for the country’s burgeoning space programme.
It was the third launch of the Nuri, which successfully put test satellites into orbit last year after a failed 2021 attempt saw the rocket’s third-stage engine burn out too early
The main satellite made communication with South Korea’s King Sejong Station in Antarctica, he said, adding that the launch confirmed “our potential for launch services for various satellite operations and space exploration”.
South Korea will carry out three more launches of Nuri by 2027, Lee added.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hailed Nuri’s launch. Saying it will give the country a competitive edge in the global space race
The launch came a day after initial plans called off over a computer communication error which resolved by Thursday.
In previous tests, the rocket carried payloads mainly designed for verifying the performance of the launch vehicle.
This time, the rocket has topped with eight working satellites, including a “commercial-grade satellite”, according to the science ministry.