South Korea moves Nuri launch vehicle to pad ahead of fifth flight
The domestically built Nuri rocket was transported to the launch pad at Naro Space Center on Tuesday, a day before its planned fifth launch.
South Korea’s home-grown Nuri launch vehicle started its journey to the launch pad on Tuesday, one day before the scheduled fifth mission. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) reported that the rocket left the assembly complex at 6 a.m. and arrived at the Naro Space Center in Goheung after an estimated 90-minute transport. Once on the pad, the vehicle will be raised to a vertical position, linked to umbilical power and data lines, and undergo a series of system checks before fuel and oxidizer are loaded.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute expects all pad-side preparations to be completed by day’s end. A launch management committee will convene on Wednesday to decide the final launch window, taking into account technical readiness, weather and orbital debris concerns.
Why it matters
The move signals South Korea’s continued progress in developing indigenous launch capabilities.
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