South Korea efficiently launched its fourth homegrown house rocket Nuri on Thursday, with President Lee Jae-myung calling it “a moment that opens a new chapter” within the nation’s house improvement.
The 200-metric-ton Nuri blasted off from the nation’s southern coastal village of Goheung, about 470 kilometers south of the capital Seoul, at 1:13 am, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The launch was barely delayed from its scheduled time due to irregular stress sensor indicators earlier than a 516-kilogram fundamental satellite tv for pc and 12 secondary satellites had been positioned into orbit.
Hailing the launch as a brand new chapter in South Korea’s house improvement, Lee stated in a social media publish that he believes it has proved the nation’s self-reliance in science and expertise and can function a basis for future generations.
The authorities will proceed to assist scientists and engineers to advertise innovation whereas persevering with its funding within the sector, he added.
In addition, the fourth launch marked the primary time {that a} personal firm has participated in your complete course of, he stated.
Hanwha Aerospace led the manufacturing and meeting of the rocket, utilizing expertise transferred from the federal government and supervised by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.
The institute oversaw the ultimate launch, however Hanwha Aerospace’s involvement in the entire course of is seen as a part of the federal government’s long-term plan for the personal sector in creating house applied sciences.
Turning level
In a information briefing, Bae Kyung-hoon, South Korea’s deputy prime minister and minister for science, stated the launch was an important turning level within the nation’s house business’s transition from a government-centric to a private-centric ecosystem.
The fundamental satellite tv for pc will conduct house science analysis, together with observations of Earth’s auroras.
The Nuri rocket program was began in 2021. The first launch was unsuccessful, however the two subsequent ones succeeded. Compared with the third launch, the quantity and weight of satellites carried by Nuri this time have each elevated.
South Korea can be planning two extra launches in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Yoon Young-bin, administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated a seventh launch is feasible in 2028, as plans to safe funds are underway.
Shin Dong-hyuk, an assistant professor within the Department of Aerospace Engineering on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, stated the brand new satellite tv for pc, for instance, will enhance GPS providers in South Korea, amongst different areas.
“The current GPS has an accuracy of around 10 meters, but in order to increase the accuracy, we need to know the space weather, and then this aurora observation can be a good indicator,” Shin informed authorities broadcaster Arirang News.