Getting Closer to Space
written by 20714 Lee Won Hee
On May 25th, 2023, at 6:24 p.m., Nuri was launched from Goheung, Jeollanam-do. After 43 minutes, a survival signal was received from the Sejong Base Station in Antarctica, indicating that the Next-Generation Small Satellite No. 2 is alive.
During Nuri’s third launch briefing, Lee Jong Ho, Minister of Science and ICT, said, “As a result of the initial analysis of Nuri’s remote reception information, it was confirmed that Nuri was put into the target orbit and successfully separated and landed Next-Generation Small Satellite No. 2.”
Nuri, which was developed from design to production and launch using Korea’s own technology, was successfully completed.
Nuri, launched in 2021, and Naro, launched in 2013, have similar names, but significant differences exist. First, the two rockets are different in size. Nuri is longer and heavier than Naro. Also, the two rockets have different mission capabilities.
During Nuri’s third launch briefing, Lee Jong Ho, Minister of Science and ICT, said, “As a result of the initial analysis of Nuri’s remote reception information, it was confirmed that Nuri was put into the target orbit and successfully separated and landed Next-Generation Small Satellite No. 2.”
Nuri, which was developed from design to production and launch using Korea’s own technology, was successfully completed.
Nuri, launched in 2021, and Naro, launched in 2013, have similar names, but significant differences exist. First, the two rockets are different in size. Nuri is longer and heavier than Naro. Also, the two rockets have different mission capabilities.
The most significant difference is that Naro is Korea’s first space launch vehicle launched with an engine made using Russian technology, while Nuri is Korea’s first space launch vehicle, with engine production technology, design technology, experimental facility technology, and launch operation technology all developed independently by Korea.
After Nuri’s launch, satellite separation is carried out using an automated system. The first criterion for confirming the success of Nuri’s third launch is that the first stage and fairing separation of the launch vehicle are properly performed, and the launch vehicle enters the target altitude of 550 km at a speed of 7.6 km per second. Launching the eight satellites that Nuri was carrying in the correct order is also a criterion for judging success.
Currently, Nuri has met the conditions for success. However, “abnormal data” was confirmed in the injection data of one of the four cube satellites, Toyosat, developed by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and accurate measurement data analysis is needed in the future.
Still, Ko Jeong Hwan, head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, said, “We believe it was a successful launch in that Nuri was accurately inserted into the target orbit and that the Next-Generation Small Satellite No. 2 was safely separated.”
However, not all processes occurred smoothly. The launch was postponed for an hour due to a “communication error between the launch control computer and the launch pad facility control computer during the control of the low-temperature helium supply valve” during the launch preparation.
This is not the only time a launch has been postponed. Previously, the second launch of Nuri was delayed by about six days due to problems with the rocket. In addition, various restrictions and invisible regulations intervened, resulting in delays.
Through the successful launch of Nuri, Korea has become one of the seven major space powers. This is a remarkable record that most other countries have not achieved, following the successful second launch in 2022 and the third consecutive launch. The second launch focused on performance verification, but this third launch placed a usable satellite into orbit.
After Nuri’s launch, satellite separation is carried out using an automated system. The first criterion for confirming the success of Nuri’s third launch is that the first stage and fairing separation of the launch vehicle are properly performed, and the launch vehicle enters the target altitude of 550 km at a speed of 7.6 km per second. Launching the eight satellites that Nuri was carrying in the correct order is also a criterion for judging success.
Currently, Nuri has met the conditions for success. However, “abnormal data” was confirmed in the injection data of one of the four cube satellites, Toyosat, developed by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and accurate measurement data analysis is needed in the future.
Still, Ko Jeong Hwan, head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, said, “We believe it was a successful launch in that Nuri was accurately inserted into the target orbit and that the Next-Generation Small Satellite No. 2 was safely separated.”
However, not all processes occurred smoothly. The launch was postponed for an hour due to a “communication error between the launch control computer and the launch pad facility control computer during the control of the low-temperature helium supply valve” during the launch preparation.
This is not the only time a launch has been postponed. Previously, the second launch of Nuri was delayed by about six days due to problems with the rocket. In addition, various restrictions and invisible regulations intervened, resulting in delays.
Through the successful launch of Nuri, Korea has become one of the seven major space powers. This is a remarkable record that most other countries have not achieved, following the successful second launch in 2022 and the third consecutive launch. The second launch focused on performance verification, but this third launch placed a usable satellite into orbit.
Afterward, the fourth will be equipped with a slightly more advanced satellite and a cube satellite that can test components independently developed by Korea and are planned to be sent into space.
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