[Reading Science] Nuri Beyond Launch ① Carrying More, Launching Cheaper... Nuri's Evolution into a Commercial Launch Vehicle

Reviewing Expansion of Fairing and Satellite Adapters
Enhancing Payload Capacity

Building Reliability and Reducing Costs Through Repeated Launches
A Test of Competitiveness in Commercial Launches

Editor's NoteThe Korean launch vehicle Nuri will embark on its fifth space flight on the 7th. Having proven its flight performance through four previous launches, Nuri is now taking on an even more complex mission in its fifth launch. This time, it will carry a total of 15 satellites into space in a single flight, the role of the private sector has grown, and safety standards surrounding the launch have become even more rigorous. The Asia Business Daily marks the 5th Nuri launch by looking back on its accumulated changes, the new missions it is challenging, and the transformed operational routines in a three-part series.

The Korean launch vehicle Nuriho's 5th launch vehicle is being assembled and inspected at the launch vehicle integration and assembly building at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. Nuriho is scheduled for its fifth flight on the 7th, carrying a total of 15 satellites, including 5 microsatellite cluster satellites and 10 CubeSats. Provided by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

The next challenge for the Korean launch vehicle Nuri is to send more satellites into space at a lower cost. Having secured its own launch vehicle technology and built reliability through repeated launches, the Nuri program must now develop competitiveness to meet actual launch demand. The key to upgrading Nuri in the future is to increase payload capacity and reduce costs, all without making significant changes to the basic design.

Nuri is scheduled for its fifth flight on the 7th of next month. This time, it will carry a total of 15 satellites—5 microsatellite constellation units (numbers 2 through 6) and 10 CubeSats. The number of satellites transported by Nuri in a single launch will be the highest ever.

Nuriho 5th Launch Payload Satellite. Provided by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

As demand for satellites grows, the requirements placed on the launch vehicle are also changing. Han Youngmin, Director of the Space Launch Vehicle Research Division at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, recently said at a briefing on the 5th Nuri launch, "We call satellites our guests, and it seems we're serving more and more of them."

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is considering expanding both the fairing, which covers the satellites, and the satellite adapters so that more satellites can be accommodated. They are also exploring ways to increase payload capacity without making substantial alterations to the basic design of the launch vehicle.

However, the design of the launch vehicle cannot be altered arbitrarily. It is important to build reliability by conducting repeated launches using the same design and processes. Major design changes would increase the number of factors that need fresh verification. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute plans to maintain Nuri's basic structure and design, while gradually improving features required to meet real launch demand.

Cost is another hurdle to overcome in making the transition to a commercial launch vehicle. The Nuri vehicle, while under development, was equipped with various measuring devices and sensors to monitor its condition and performance during flight. As enough flight data accumulate through repeated launches, some of these now less-essential instruments can be reduced, thereby allowing production costs to be lowered.

Nuri is made up of about 370,000 parts. Once the design and manufacturing processes are stable, the efficiency of producing launch vehicles with consistent quality, and repeating that process, will impact both launch costs and schedules. Director Han explained that the manufacturing infrastructure in Korea's industry could provide a strong advantage at this stage of repeated production.

Repetitive launches are also crucial for improving reliability. Achieving the reliability needed for commercial launch services is difficult with only one or two successful missions. Nuri must continue with subsequent launches to accumulate hands-on experience and data throughout the entire process: manufacturing, assembly, testing, and flight operations.

Even after the Nuri advancement project, the government is working to continue launches, reduce launch gaps, and meet domestic launch demand. The goal is to move beyond the phase where merely developing a launch vehicle was the goal, and to establish a service system capable of sending satellites into space as needed.

Ultimately, price is another decisive factor for competitiveness. Even if a launch is successful, if costs are much higher than those of overseas launch vehicles, it will be difficult to attract commercial satellite orders. This is why increasing payload capacity and reducing costs throughout the manufacturing, testing, and operation processes is essential.

A fairing is being prepared for launch at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do ahead of the 5th Nuriho launch. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is considering expanding the fairing and satellite adapters to accommodate more satellites in the future. Provided by KARI

Director Han said, "To ensure commercial viability, costs must be significantly reduced."

Tae seog Oh, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), also announced plans to enhance launch reliability through Nuri's repeated launches and to secure stable launch demand. At the Kwanhun Forum on the 30th of last month, Administrator Oh said, "By enhancing launch reliability through the repeated launches of Nuri and utilizing domestic launch vehicles for satellites developed in Korea, we will ensure stable launch demand."

Park Jaeseong, Head of Space Transportation at the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), also commented, "The difference between 'launch success' and 'launch service' is all about cost-effectiveness," adding, "We must provide not only high reliability, but also a highly competitive, low-cost, and high-efficiency service."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.