PRESS RELEASE
Release Date : October 13, 2023
Commencement of Nuri 4th Launch
Preparation
- Convening of Nuri 4th Launch Preparation Meeting
- Appointment of Dr. PARK Jong-Chan as New Director for
Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement Program
□ The preparations for the 4th launch of the Korean Space launch
vehicle Nuri, aimed at deploying the Next Generation Medium-sized
Satellite No. 3 into mission orbit, have officially begun.
□ The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (led by Director Lee
Sang-ryul, hereinafter referred to as "KARI") held the "Nuri 4th
Launch Preparation Commencement Meeting" on October 6th (Friday),
with representatives from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the
Nuri Launch Preparation Inspection Team, and System Integrator
Company (Hanwha Aerospace) in attendance.
ㅇ During the meeting, updates on the 4th launch preparation status
were shared, including design changes reflecting the outcomes of
the Nuri 3rd launch, satellite readiness status, and launch pad
readiness status, and future plans were discussed.
* Changes in satellite payload configuration to accommodate multiple payloads,
improvements in CubeSat separation monitoring, and alterations due to
obsolescence in electronic/control components were among the topics
covered.
ㅇ The construction of the Nuri Flight Model 4 (FM4) has commenced
under the supervision of the System Integrator Company since
May, with the assembly of stages 1, 2, and 3 scheduled to begin
in the second half of '24.
ㅇ The 4th launch of Nuri is scheduled to take place in the latter
half of '25 according to the project schedule for deploying the
primary payload, Next Generation Medium-sized Satellite No. 3,
into the target orbit.
□ Additionally, KARI has appointed Dr. Park Jong-chan as the new
director to lead future enhancement program.
ㅇ Dr. Park has been with KARI since 2005, contributing 18 years of
research and development expertise in launch vehicle systems,
including Naro and Nuri.
ㅇ Dr. Park Jong-chan, the newly appointed director for enhancement
projects, expressed his commitment: "I am deeply honored to
oversee the production and launch of Nuri, developed with
indigenous technology. I will work tirelessly with all project
members to ensure the smooth preparation for the remaining three
Nuri launches, building upon the achievements of my senior
colleagues and peers."
□ Furthermore, KARI aims to enhance the reliability of launch
vehicles through repetitive launches of the Korean space launch
vehicle and foster the domestic launch vehicle industry through
technology transfer to the private sector. They are currently
executing the "Korean Space Launch Vehicle II Enhancement
Program" ('22 ~ '27, 6.8738 trillion won), with the successful
deployment of the primary payload, Next Generation Small
Satellite No. 2, achieved through the Nuri 3rd launch in May.
Attached : Overview of Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement Project
Att. 1
Overview of Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement
Project
□ Project Objectives
ㅇ Enhancing the reliability of launch vehicles through repetitive
launches and technology transfer to the private sector to foster
and advance the domestic launch vehicle industry.
□ Key Contents
ㅇ Repeated launches of Nuri in response to government satellite
launch demand and technology transfer of Nuri development to the
private sector for system integrator company discovery and
cultivation.
- Ensuring launch reliability through repeated practical
satellite launches (4 times).
- Promoting private sector participation in the space industry
and establishing a self-sustaining launch vehicle industry
ecosystem through efficient technology transfer and provision
of launch demand.
□ (Project Duration) May 2022 to December 2027 (6 years)
□ (Project Budget) Total of 6.8738 trillion won (100%
government-funded)
□ (Supervising Ministry/Executing Agencies) Ministry of Science and
ICT/Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Hanwha Aerospace Co.,
Ltd.
□ Major Progress
ㅇ (July '22) Approval of the plan for selecting a system
integrator company for the "Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement
Project" (pending) (40th Space Development and Promotion
Committee).
ㅇ (December '22) Signing of a contract for the production of the
launch vehicle main body for the "Korean Launch Vehicle
Enhancement Project" (Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd.).
ㅇ (May '23) Nuriho 3rd launch operation and successful launch.
ㅇ (October '23) Approval of the change in research director for
the "Korean Launch Vehicle Enhancement Project."
ㅇ (October '23) Commencement of the Nuriho 4th launch preparation
meeting.