The "Nuri" rocket's fourth launch is significant as it marks the first time a private corporation, Hanwha Aerospace, is involved in all tasks related to the rocket from production to launch. The Nuri rocket advancement project is serving as a catalyst for transforming the domestic rocket ecosystem into a privately-led space development, also known as 'New Space.'
Park Jong-chan, Director General of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), noted in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 25th at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, that the fourth Nuri launch scheduled for November this year will be a turning point for Korean space development's New Space.
The third launch of the Nuri rocket in May 2023 was significant as it was the first time a rocket made with our technology carried an actual commercial satellite instead of a test satellite. The first practical launch of the Nuri rocket was successful on the first attempt.
The fourth launch is being led by Hanwha Aerospace, the system integration corporation for the Nuri advancement project. While Hanwha Aerospace was selected as the system integration corporation during the preparation for the third launch, it did not play a significant role during that launch. After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus since the third launch, Hanwha Aerospace will participate in all aspects of the fourth launch, including assembly and launch control.
Director General Park stated, "Hanwha Aerospace will take on the roles of production of rocket components, quality control, comprehensive management of rocket production, and testing, while KARI will be responsible for the final review and approval of design changes, as well as overseeing launch operations," adding that "KARI will take a slightly larger role until the fourth launch, and afterward, Hanwha Aerospace's involvement will increase."
Director General Park mentioned that preparations for the fourth launch are being conducted without delays, indicating there will be no issues for the November launch. He noted, "In the case of the first stage, which takes the longest to assemble, about 60% of the work has currently been completed," and added, "The total assembly of each stage of the Nuri will be finished by August, after which we will connect the stages to complete the rocket unit."
Next is the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), which involves moving the rocket to the launch pad and performing the launch process in the same manner. This is scheduled to take place around the end of September. Director General Park explained that, "Once the payload satellite is received at the Naro Space Center from late September to early October, we will load the satellite onto the rocket and conduct various integration tests and final preparation work until early November."
There is a two-and-a-half-year gap between the third and fourth launches of the Nuri. Small and medium-sized companies that make components for the Nuri may experience a loss of personnel or infrastructure during that time. Director General Park stated, "If there isn't a steady production volume for the rocket, related personnel may leave or companies may assign them to other tasks." He also noted, "It is true that initial errors or defects are more likely after having a gap in production" and said he requested measures to stabilize production and supply while visiting companies.
Director General Park emphasized the necessity of additional Nuri launches. One of the goals of the Nuri advancement project is to invigorate the domestic space launch vehicle industry ecosystem. To this end, contracts for production quantities have been made in bulk with companies that participated in the production of the Nuri, up to the sixth launch. He warned, "However, if the project ends in 2027 with no follow-up launches, another gap will occur," adding, "There are many mentions on-site that there may be difficulties in personnel and equipment operations."
The need for performance improvements for the Nuri rocket was also stressed. Director General Park stated, "There are statistics showing that, in the next ten years, satellites operating in low Earth orbit and sun-synchronous orbit will account for 96% of total launches," and added, "Since the Nuri can carry around 2.4 tons in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km, if utilized well, it has sufficient economic viability for the future."
However, this requires the prerequisite condition of performance improvements. Director General Park stated, "The effective internal space of the fairing, which protects the satellite, has a diameter of 2.2 meters and a height of 3.4 meters, making it slightly small to carry two medium-sized satellites each under 1 ton simultaneously," and emphasized the need to enlarge the fairing for performance improvements. He also indicated the requirement for performance enhancements that would enable the Nuri rocket to deploy satellites into various orbits by equipping the third-stage engine with a reignition capability.