South Korea launched Nuri, his the first domestic rocket developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). In accordance with APNuri took off at 16:00 from the Naro spaceport with a payload of 1500 kg, including fool and a satellite for performance testing.
Nuri placed a satellite at an altitude of 700 kilometers, which transmitted the signals of the South Korean station in Antarctica. The test satellite includes 4 CubeSat nanosatellites which will be deployed over the next few days for perform observation tasks. Science Minister Lee Chong-ho said the launch represents a breakthrough in the country’s science and technology.
Nuri’s mission is important, since most of the South Korean satellites were sent into space using foreign rockets and platforms. The Asian country has been considering the development of technology for the development of local industry for a decade. Although South Korea is the tenth largest economy in the world, their role in the space race is negligible compared to China, Russia or India.
The Nuri rocket is 47 meters long and includes four KRE-075 SL engines in the first stage; vacuum engine KRE-075 in the upper stage, as well as the engine KRE-007 in the third stage. South Korean engineers use jet fuel and liquid oxygen, which must be stored at extremely low temperatures.
Nuri is the first rocket developed by South Korea.
Unlike their predecessors, Nuri brings together technologies developed by over 300 local companies.Reported by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Because of its importance, the launch was broadcast on the national network. Yoon Suk-yeol, President of South Korea, said Nouri is the product of the problems of the past 30 years. “Now the dream and hope of our Korean people and our youth will reach space,” he said.
Although this is a non-military mission, the launch could increase tensions with North Korea. Nuri opens door to send spy satellites to monitor Pyongyang regardless of the US. The country’s foreign minister a few months ago accused Washington of supporting these missions but preventing the North Koreans from doing the same.
The launch is part of a series of missions that have both the ultimate goal is to land a lander on the moon Developed in collaboration with NASA. Since the cost of production is lower compared to Asian competitors, South Korea plans to sell it to other countries in the region. Nuri is not alone in the plans, as by 2024 South Korean engineers will also develop a solid rocket.
Source: Hiper Textual
