No. 155 / Dec 6, 2021
On October 21, 2021, the first independently developed Korean space projectile, Nuriho, was launched from the Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do. The goal of the Nuriho launch was to place a 1.5t satellite in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a height of 600 to 800 km above the earth. The 47.2m rocket took off and successfully completed first-stage separation, second-stage ignition, pairing separation, second-stage separation, and third-stage ignition. The third-stage engine went off 46s earlier than planned, however, failing to put the test satellite into orbit. Nonetheless, it can be considered a “half success” rather than a “failure” in that it successfully reached an altitude of 700km.
Korea began researching projectiles in July 1990, with the first single-stage solid propulsion science rocket KSR-I at the forefront. Through KSR-II and KSR-III Naroho (KSLV-I), the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) acquired the underlying technology and experience for the development of projectile magnetic force. In 2013, Naroho succeeded in the third launch, but as the engine was made in Russia, it was not Korea’s technology alone. About 30 years after starting research on projectiles, the Nuriho (KSLV-II), independently developed in Korea, was finally launched. These projectile studies are one of the three elements of space mission performance, and it is very important to have independent skills in this area because projectiles are the only means of reaching space. They are thus a key means for Korea to stably carry out space development.
The goal of this first launch was to launch a test (dummy) satellite. By May 2022, a small scientific satellite equipped with an actual experimental payload will be launched. The Nuriho project began in March 2010, and nearly 2 trillion won has been invested in it over 12 years. It is also noteworthy that more than 300 companies participated in the development of Nuriho, spending a total of 1.5 trillion won. This is not an attempt by the state alone, but an attempt to create a space industry ecosystem by allowing several companies to participate. The government’s goal is to strengthen its technological capabilities and revitalize the space industry through the experience of companies participating in the development of the Nuriho. The total assembly of the Nuriho system was carried out by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and the total assembly of the engine was carried out by Hanwha Aerospace, a private company.
A second launch is scheduled for May 2022 that will carry a 0.2t performance verification satellite and a 1.3t dummy satellite. If Nuriho’s technology is successfully developed, it will be linked and expanded to a small, economical projectile and large projectile platform from 2025 to 2030. The development of Nuriho can thus stably and independently carry out the National Space Development Plan. As this is the first step toward a variety of space missions, the continued development of projectiles is expected in the future.
By Lee Noo-ri AG Senior Editor
cabello1706@ajou.ac.kr
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