South Korea's Nuri Rocket Completes Fourth Flight Under New Aerospace Administration

The fourth operational flight of South Korea's indigenous Nuri rocket, officially designated KSLV-II, concluded successfully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The launch, originating from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, marked the inaugural mission overseen by the newly inaugurated Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA). The liftoff, which occurred at 1:13 a.m. KST, was the first nighttime mission for the Nuri vehicle, proceeding after a brief hold due to a sensor anomaly on the umbilical system.

The 47-meter rocket carried a total of 13 satellites, representing the most complex payload configuration in Nuri's operational history, with a combined mass approaching 960 kilograms. The primary payload was the 512-kilogram CAS500-3 Earth-observation satellite, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries. This midsized satellite is tasked with critical space technology verification and scientific research, including detailed studies of Earth's auroras, airglow phenomena, and measurements of magnetic fields and plasma within the magnetosphere. The mission's late-night timing was specifically engineered to minimize sunlight interference for the CAS500-3's observational objectives.

Following the main deployment at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers, the remaining 12 smaller cube satellites were released sequentially. This mission is fundamentally significant as it represents the formal transfer of management responsibility from the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to the private sector, with Hanwha Aerospace assuming the role of system integrator for production, assembly, and joint launch operations for the first time. This operational shift aligns with South Korea's 'Space Economy Roadmap' from November 2022, which aims to foster a privately-led 'New Space' ecosystem.

KASA Administrator Yoon Young-bin confirmed optimal launch conditions, noting clear skies and calm winds. He stated that the Nuri rocket will undergo two more flights through 2027 to enhance technological stability before development proceeds on a next-generation vehicle. This successful fourth flight builds upon previous achievements, including orbital successes in June 2022 and May 2023. The CAS500-3 established initial communication with the King Sejong Station in Antarctica at 1:55 a.m., validating the increasing reliability of the Nuri platform as it transitions toward commercial viability under KASA's new mandate, which seeks to elevate South Korea into the top five global space agencies.