CaliToday (28/11/2025): South Korea has cemented its status as a rising global space power following the successful launch of its homegrown Nuri rocket (KSLV-II). In a mission described by officials as a "monumental leap," the vehicle successfully deployed a payload of 13 satellites into orbit, marking a decisive victory for the nation's independent aerospace ambitions.
The launch, which took place at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, is being hailed not just as a technical success, but as the dawn of South Korea's commercial space age.
The Mission: A Precision "Night Flight"
The 200-ton Nuri rocket lifted off in the early hours of Thursday, lighting up the night sky in what was South Korea’s first-ever nighttime launch. This timing was calculated precisely to ensure the primary satellite entered its target Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at the optimal angle for solar power generation and mission operations.
The Payload: The rocket carried a total of 13 satellites:
Main Payload: The CAS500-3 (Compact Advanced Satellite), a next-generation medium-sized satellite designed for Earth observation and scientific research (including monitoring space weather and auroras).
Secondary Payloads: 12 CubeSats (microsatellites) developed by various universities and research institutes, tasked with missions ranging from environmental monitoring to technology verification.
The Result: Telemetry data confirmed that all satellites were successfully separated at the target altitude of 600 kilometers, and communication with the ground station has been established.
Why This Launch is Different: The "Hanwha" Factor
While previous launches were state-driven, this mission marks a critical pivot toward the private sector a strategy often compared to the NASA-SpaceX model in the United States.
For the first time, Hanwha Aerospace, a private defense and aerospace giant, acted as the system integration contractor. Hanwha managed the assembly and launch operations alongside the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Expert Insight: "This is no longer just a government science project. By handing the reins to Hanwha, Seoul is aggressively building a commercial space ecosystem capable of competing in the global launch market."
Geopolitical Implications: The Space Race Heats Up
The timing of this success is impossible to divorce from the tense security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Surveillance Independence: While officially a scientific mission, the technology used in the Nuri rocket and the CAS500-3 satellite enhances South Korea's independent capability to monitor regional activities. This reduces Seoul's reliance on U.S. intelligence assets.
Countering the North: With North Korea continuing its own aggressive missile and spy satellite programs, South Korea’s ability to reliably launch multiple satellites at once serves as a powerful deterrent and a demonstration of superior technological precision.
What’s Next?
Following this success, the Ministry of Science and ICT has confirmed plans to accelerate the program. The government aims to conduct regular launches through 2027 to further refine the Nuri vehicle and prepare for the next generation of heavier lift rockets.