[Nuri Fifth Launch] Nuri Reaches Target Orbit and Separates 15 Satellites... Only Final Success Confirmation Remains (Comprehensive)

First Ever On-Time Liftoff... Sequential Separation of 5 NEONSATs and 10 CubeSats
Tae seog Oh: "Confirmed Execution of Planned Flight Sequence"... Final Results to Be Announced at 2 p.m.

[Naro Space Center, Goheung, Jeonnam = The Asia Business Daily Kim Jonghwa] The Korean launch vehicle Nuri reached its target orbit on its fifth flight and successfully separated all 15 onboard satellites. With confirmation that both the launch vehicle’s flight and satellite separation were carried out as planned, only a final determination of mission success remains, pending detailed analysis of the flight data.

On October 7 at 12:25 p.m., Nuri lifted off from Launch Pad 2 at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam. This marks the first time that Nuri has launched precisely at its scheduled launch time.

Tae seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), stated at a briefing held at Naro Space Center at 1:00 p.m. that day, "This is the first time in our launch history that a launch has been conducted right on schedule," adding, "Based on combined flight data and video footage, we have confirmed that Nuri reached its intended orbit following the planned flight sequence."

After liftoff, Nuri sequentially separated its first stage, the satellite fairing, and second stage. Upon completing the third-stage engine burn, it reached an altitude of approximately 575 km and began separating the payload satellites.

First, five NEONSAT-2 to NEONSAT-6 main payload smallsat cluster satellites were released one by one at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds. To prevent collision between satellites, a sequence was applied in which the upper stage of Nuri altered its attitude by 30 and 60 degrees, allowing separations in different directions.

The main mission of this fifth launch was to deploy all five smallsat cluster satellites into the targeted orbit at around 570 km altitude. While there was only one main payload on the fourth launch, this time it increased to five, raising the mission's level of complexity.

Once the five NEONSATs were separated, ten CubeSats were sequentially deployed into space. These CubeSats were separated in five sets of two, with each separation occurring at 10-second intervals. As a result, the separation process for all 15 satellites carried by Nuri—five NEONSATs and ten CubeSats—was completed.

Oh said, "The satellite separation is believed to have been carried out normally according to the initial plan." The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is conducting a detailed analysis of telemetry data received from Nuri to verify the actual orbit insertion and satellite separation outcomes.

Not the End After Deploying 15 Satellites... Third Stage Reduces 'Space Debris' Risk

The mission for this fifth launch was not over after separating the 15 satellites. The Nuri third stage, upon completing its mission, also had to reduce the risk of either re-encountering its deployed satellites or exploding in orbit and generating additional space debris.

After all satellites were separated, the third stage of Nuri vented residual gases, including oxidizer and helium, into space. This safety measure aimed to reduce the pressure inside the third stage after its mission, preventing it from exploding or breaking up in orbit and causing new space debris.

Tae Seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), is announcing the results of the Nuri rocket launch management committee held on the 7th at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Oh explained, "The Nuri third stage, now mission-complete, has completed the follow-up procedure of venting residual oxidizer and helium to prevent both collisions with the separated satellites and spontaneous explosions in orbit."

The upper section of a launch vehicle can remain in space for a considerable time after deploying satellites. If propellant or pressurized gas remains inside, there is a risk of an explosion later in time, potentially generating new orbital debris. Therefore, not only satellite deployment but also rendering the used launch vehicle safe has become part of the space transportation mission.

This fifth launch was the most complex mission Nuri has undertaken to date. The 15 satellites constitute the largest number ever launched by Nuri on a single mission. In particular, it was the first time Nuri carried five main payload satellites for the same mission, separating them at specifically defined intervals and directions.

The five NEONSATs will not only carry out their individual missions but, after initial communications checks and functionality tests, will adjust their positions over the next two to three months in orbit to form a single satellite cluster.

Once the cluster is complete, it will be able to observe the Korean Peninsula more than three times a day and revisit the same region within 24 hours. Next year's sixth launch, which will add five more satellites, will complete a cluster of 10 satellites.

However, the final determination of success for this fifth launch has not yet been formally announced. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is currently conducting a detailed analysis based on telemetry data to confirm actual orbit insertion and satellite separation results. The Korea Aerospace Administration will hold a detailed briefing at 2:00 p.m. to announce the final results of the Nuri fifth launch.

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