Nuri rocket's fifth launch succeeds, deploying 14 satellites into orbit

- Five ultra-small cluster satellites deployed simultaneously for the first time; 9 of 10 cubesats separated

- Rocket hits target altitude of 576 km; cumulative launch success rate rises to 80%

- Private-sector involvement in launch operations expands; annual launches planned through 2032

The Nuri rocket lifts off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]

South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket completed its fifth spaceflight successfully Wednesday, placing five ultra-small cluster satellites into orbit simultaneously for the first time and demonstrating the country's ability to precisely deploy multiple satellites — going beyond simple cargo transport.

The launch also marked a further expansion of private-sector involvement in launch operations, strengthening the foundation for transitioning Nuri from a government- and research-institution-led program to a commercially operated launch service.

Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the rocket, launched at 12:25 p.m. from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, successfully entered its target orbit and separated five ultra-small cluster satellites — Nos. 2 through 6 — along with nine cubesats.

The rocket separated its first stage 121 seconds after liftoff at an altitude of about 66.5 kilometers, then jettisoned its payload fairing at 231.3 seconds at roughly 227 km. At 262 seconds, it separated the second stage at about 275.7 km and ignited the third-stage engine.

The rocket reached an altitude of 575.4 km at 745.7 seconds after launch. After stabilizing its attitude, it began sequentially releasing the five cluster satellites starting at 795.3 seconds, at an altitude of about 576 km — within the target separation range of 570 km, plus or minus 15 km.

The Nuri rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 2 at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]

Cluster satellite No. 6 established its first contact with the King Sejong Station in Antarctica at around 1:08 p.m. The remaining satellites, Nos. 2 through 5, will communicate sequentially through ground stations in Daejeon, Jeju, the Antarctic King Sejong Station and the Svalbard ground station in Norway.

Of the 10 cubesats aboard, only nine were separated. One cubesat called "PurSat," developed by Quaternion, failed to eject despite Nuri sending a normal ejection signal.

The central achievement of this launch was the first-ever simultaneous deployment of five primary payload satellites into orbit from a single Korean rocket. The mission introduced a low-shock separation device for cluster satellite release and a new separation sequence to prevent collisions between satellites, establishing the operational capability to place multiple satellites into desired orbits in succession.

The launch also raised Nuri's reliability. With the fifth launch success, the rocket's cumulative launch success rate climbed from 75 percent to 80 percent.

Korea AeroSpace Administration chief Oh Tae-seok briefs reporters on the detailed results of Nuri's fifth launch. [Korea AeroSpace Administration]

The transfer of technology to the private sector is also accelerating. This launch expanded the role of the prime systems integrator in launch operations compared with the fourth launch — a step toward transitioning to a commercial launch service model in which private firms lead not only rocket manufacturing but also operations.

The government plans to carry out Nuri's sixth launch in the second half of next year, again placing five ultra-small cluster satellites into orbit. It then aims to launch Nuri at least once a year through 2032 to boost reliability and complete the shift to a privately led commercial launch service.

"This successful orbital insertion of the cluster satellites demonstrates our space transportation capability to carry out diverse missions on the orbit and schedule that customers require," Korea AeroSpace Administration chief Oh Tae-seok said. "We will pursue at least one launch per year through 2032 to further enhance Nuri's reliability and transition to a privately led commercial launch service."

nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com