S. Korea's 4th rocket launch successful

South Korea successfully launched its fourth homegrown space rocket Nuri on Thursday, with President Lee Jae-myung calling it "a moment that opens a new chapter" in the country's space development.

The 200-metric-ton Nuri blasted off from the country'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 slightly delayed from its scheduled time because of abnormal pressure sensor signals before a 516-kilogram main satellite and 12 secondary satellites were placed into orbit.

Hailing the launch as a new chapter in South Korea's space development, Lee said in a social media post that he believes it has proved the country's self-reliance in science and technology and will serve as a foundation for future generations.

The government will continue to support scientists and engineers to promote innovation while continuing its investment in the sector, he added.

In addition, the fourth launch marked the first time that a private company has participated in the entire process, he said.

Hanwha Aerospace led the manufacturing and assembly of the rocket, using technology transferred from the government and supervised by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The institute oversaw the final launch, but Hanwha Aerospace's involvement in the whole process is seen as part of the government's long-term plan for the private sector in developing space technologies.

Turning point

In a news briefing, Bae Kyung-hoon, South Korea's deputy prime minister and minister for science, said the launch was a crucial turning point in the country's space industry's transition from a government-centric to a private-centric ecosystem.

The main satellite will conduct space science research, including observations of Earth's auroras.

The Nuri rocket program was started in 2021. The first launch was unsuccessful, but the two subsequent ones succeeded. Compared with the third launch, the number and weight of satellites carried by Nuri this time have both increased.

South Korea is also planning two more launches in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Yoon Young-bin, administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration, said a seventh launch is possible in 2028, as plans to secure funds are underway.

Shin Dong-hyuk, an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, said the new satellite, for example, will improve GPS services in South Korea, among other 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 told government broadcaster Arirang News.

kelly@chinadailyapac.com