[Nuriho 5th Launch] Set for 12:25 p.m. Today: "No Issues with Weather or Space Environment"

Fuel Charging at 9:40 a.m., Oxidizer Charging at 10:15 a.m.

Automatic Operation Begins at 12:15 p.m.; Launch Window from 12:23 p.m. to 1:23 p.m.

[Naro Space Center, Goheung, Jeollanam-do = The Asia Business Daily, Kim Jonghwa] The fifth launch of Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket has been set for 12:25 p.m. on the 7th. After a comprehensive review of weather, space environment, and the possibility of collision with space objects, authorities confirmed that there are currently no risk factors that would prevent the launch.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) convened the Nuriho Launch Management Committee at 8 a.m. that day, reviewing the technical readiness of the rocket as well as safety factors such as weather and space environment. As a result, a decision was made to proceed with the fifth launch as scheduled. The available launch window for that day is a one-hour period between 12:23 p.m. and 1:23 p.m.

Korea's Nuri rocket, waiting to launch, stands upright on the second launch pad at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, in the early morning of the 7th. The Korea Aerospace Administration held a launch management committee meeting that morning and set the fifth launch time of the Nuri rocket for 12:25 p.m. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

The Nuri rocket was transported and erected on the second launch pad at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do the previous day. Umbilical connections were established to supply propellant and electricity, followed by relevant checks and additional work. Starting at 5 a.m., sensors and equipment on both the rocket and the launch pad were inspected, and preparations are progressing according to plan so far.

Weather conditions were also deemed suitable for the launch. Temperature, precipitation, and air pressure in the vicinity of Naro Space Center all met the launch requirements. The average wind speed at the launch pad was 2 m/s, with a peak wind speed of 5 m/s, both well below the restriction thresholds for launch.

Upper-level winds were measured and analyzed up to an altitude of around 20 km using a radiosonde, and those results also satisfied the launch requirements. With little to no cloud cover and clear skies expected, lightning-related launch restrictions are not anticipated according to KASA.

Space weather conditions resulting from solar activity were likewise found to be unlikely to affect the launch. The probability of issues arising from solar radio bursts or incoming solar particles is low, and geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances are not expected to impact the launch.

Analysis of potential collision risks between the Nuri rocket's flight path and trackable space objects—such as the International Space Station (ISS), operating satellites, and space debris—found no risk factors that would affect the launch.

On the morning of the 7th, Tae Seog Oh, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), announced the results of the Nuriho 5th Launch Management Committee at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam. The Launch Management Committee reviewed weather, space environment, and the possibility of collision with space objects, and decided to launch Nuriho at 12:25 pm that day. Photo by Kim Joungho

Accordingly, propellant charging procedures will be conducted at the launch pad. Kerosene, the fuel, is scheduled to begin loading at approximately 9:40 a.m., while liquid oxygen, the oxidizer, will start being loaded around 10:15 a.m. Each loading process is expected to take about 70 minutes.

At 12:15 p.m., ten minutes prior to launch, the Nuri rocket will switch to automatic operation mode. The rocket will then check its own status and autonomously carry out subsequent processes, including engine ignition and liftoff. About four seconds before launch, the first-stage engine will ignite; once it reaches normal thrust, the rocket's hold-down clamp will be released and Nuri will lift off. If any abnormalities are detected during the automatic sequence, the launch procedure may be immediately halted.

Tae Seog Oh, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), stated, "All preparations have proceeded smoothly so far," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the remaining procedures proceed seamlessly through to the final moment of launch."

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