Nuri (rocket)

Nuri (KSLV-II)
KSLV-II Nuri launching from the Launch Pad 2 at Naro Space Center, 21 October 2021.
FunctionSmall/Medium-lift launch vehicle
Manufacturer
Country of originSouth Korea
Project cost₩1.96 trillion (spaceport included)
Size
Height47.2 m (155 ft)
Diameter3.5 m (11 ft)
Mass200,000 kg (440,000 lb)
Stages3
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude200 km (120 mi)
Mass3,300 kg (7,300 lb)
Payload to SSO
Altitude700 km (430 mi)
Mass1,900 kg (4,200 lb)
Payload to GTO
Mass1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesNaro, LC-2
Total launches5
Success(es)4
Failure1
First flight21 October 2021
Last flight7 October 2026 (most recent)
First stage
Height21.6 m (71 ft)
Diameter3.5 m (11 ft)
Powered by4 × KRE-075
Maximum thrustSL: 2,942 kN (661,000 lbf)
vac: 3,380 kN (759,000 lbf)
Specific impulseSL: 261.7 s (2.566 km/s)
vac: 298.6 s (2.928 km/s)
Burn time127 seconds
PropellantLOX /  Jet A-1
Second stage
Diameter2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Powered by1 × KRE-075
Maximum thrust788 kN (177,000 lbf)
Specific impulse315.4 s (3.093 km/s)
Burn time148 seconds
PropellantLOX /  Jet A-1
Third stage
Height3.5 m (11 ft)
Diameter2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Powered by1 × KRE-007
Maximum thrust68.7 kN (15,400 lbf)
Specific impulse325.1 s (3.188 km/s)
Burn time498 seconds
PropellantLOX / Jet A-1
[edit on Wikidata]

Nuri (Korean: 누리; lit. 'world'), also known as KSLV-II (Korean Space Launch Vehicle-II), is an expendable, three-stage-to-orbit, small-lift launch vehicle, the second one developed by South Korea, and the successor to Naro-1 (KSLV-1) It is developed by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). All three stages use Korean developed launch vehicle engines, making Nuri the first orbital launch vehicle entirely developed and manufactured in South Korea.

History

The South Korean government decided to fund the development of relatively cheap and reliable rockets competitive enough for the commercial launch market.

On 21 October 2021, Nuri made its initial orbital launch attempt at 08:00 UTC and it launched a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) dummy satellite payload into what was planned to be a 700 km (430 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). However, despite the payload reaching the targeted apogee (700 km), the third stage shut down about 46 seconds earlier than planned and the payload did not achieve orbital speed.

Nuri made its second flight on 21 June 2022, 07:00 UTC, with a payload of 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) including a 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) dummy satellite payload and a 180 kg (400 lb) performance verification satellite (PVSAT) including four cube satellites. The second launch was successful, putting all the satellites onto the 700 km (430 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). As a result of this launch, South Korea became the seventh country in the world with the ability to put a satellite with a mass of at least one ton, into orbit.

After the two test launches, Nuri showed higher than expected performance, increasing its payload from 1,500 kg (3,300 Ib) to 1,900 kg (4,200 Ib).

Nuri is the first launch vehicle developed with domestic, South Korean, technology throughout all processes, including design, manufacturing, and testing. With its successful launch, South Korea became the seventh country in the world to have a medium-sized liquid-propellant rocket engine over 75 tons.

Specification

The second launch of KSLV-II at the Naro Space Center, 21 June 2022

Nuri (KSLV-II) is a three-stage launch vehicle. The first stage booster uses four KRE-075 SL engines generating 266.4 tons of thrust with a specific impulse of 289.1 seconds. The second stage booster uses a single KRE-075 Vacuum engine, which has a wider nozzle for increased efficiency in vacuum with a specific impulse of 315.4 seconds. The third stage booster uses one KRE-007 engine with a specific impulse of 325.1 seconds. Both engine models use Jet A-1 as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer.

Development

When technology development for Nuri began by October 2010, the overall design goal was to develop a new expendable medium-lift launch vehicle that was entirely South Korean. Nuri first reached orbit in June 2022. The total cost of the development program was approximately US$1.5 billion.

Engine development

  • In March 2014, the first combustion test of the 7-ton class combustor, was successfully completed, and the total assembly and initial ignition test of the KRE-007 engine started in July 2015. In addition, the first phase of the project was completed with the addition of a three-stage engine combustion test facility and a combustor combustion test facility. However, the problem of combustion instability in the KRE-075 burner required rework.
The third launch on 25 May 2023
  • Hanwha Techwin Co. signed on 25 January 2016, a 14.1 billion won (US$11.77 million) contract with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to produce both types of liquid propellant rocket engines for Nuri.
  • On 8 January 2016, the second phase of the project was carried out to overcome the difficulties of combustor combustion instability and welding technology of the liquid engine fuel tank, and a combustion test of the KRE-075 engine for a few seconds was successful.
  • On 3 May 2016, the KRE-075 engine underwent a 1.5 second long spark ignition test. It was later fired for 75 seconds on 8 June 2016. Following these successes, on 20 July 2016, at 1:39 pm, the final target combustion time of 145 seconds (147 seconds) was achieved. During the ground test, the engine performed nominally, with all values such as combustion safety and combustion thrust within the expected error range. During an actual launch, the first stage engine is expected to burn for 127 seconds and the second stage engine for 143 seconds.
  • Starting from October 2016 to October 2021, there have been over 184 combustion tests of the second prototype KRE-075 engine.

KRE-075 sea level engine

KRE-075 engine
Fuel Jet A-1 / LOX
Thrust SL: 2,942 kN (661,000 lbf), vac: 3,380 kN (759,000 lbf)
Specific impulse SL: 261.7 s (2.566 km/s), vac: 298.6 s (2.928 km/s)
Height 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Diameter 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Cycle Gas generator

The KRE-075 engine was developed in April 2016 after the 30 tf engine development program.

KRE-075 vacuum engine

Fuel Jet A-1 / LOX
Thrust 3,570 kN (803,000 lbf)
Specific impulse 315.4 s (3.093 km/s)
Cycle Gas generator

KRE-007 engine

Fuel Jet A-1 / LOX
Thrust 310 kN (70,000 lbf)
Specific impulse 325.1 s (3.188 km/s)
Cycle Gas generator

KSLV-II TLV

The Test Launch Vehicle (TLV) was a single stage launch vehicle (with a planned two stage version), qualifying the performance of the KRE-075 engine which powers the KSLV-II. The TLV was 25.8 m (85 ft) in length, 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) in diameter, and with a mass of 52.1 tons. The main-stage liquid rocket propellant engine was fully gimballed. With the 2nd stage engine installed, the two-stage version of TLV could perform as a small satellite launch vehicle.

2018 flight

Wet Mass52.1 tons
Dry Mass38 tons
Height25.8 m
Diameter2.6 m
Stages1
Engine1 KRE-075
Payloadmass simulator

The TLV was launched from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on 28 November 2018. The main objective of the first suborbital flight was for the single-stage rocket's main engine to burn 140 seconds, reaching a 100 km altitude before splashing down in the sea between Jeju Island and Okinawa Island.

The maiden flight was first delayed from 25 October 2018 for one month, due to abnormal readings detected in the launch vehicle propellant pressurization system. The test flight was then rescheduled for 28 November 2018, at 07:00 UTC (16:00 KST). No payload was to be placed into orbit.

The launch of the TLV while deemed successful with its main engine burning for 151 seconds in a 10-minute flight, was not broadcast live. After reaching a maximum altitude of 209 km (130 mi), the launch vehicle stage splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, 429 km (267 mi) southeast of Jeju Island.

As the TLV was meant to serve as a test craft, and as the flight ended in a success, there was not a second TLV launch.

Canceled future version (KSLV-IIA)

As of 2020, further improvements were planned to be added after the success of KSLV-II program, under the name of KSLV-IIA. With mainly increasing the thrust of the KRE-075 of the first stage from 735 kN (165,000 lbf) to 804 kN (181,000 lbf) and specific impulse from 261.7 seconds to 315.4 seconds, this would have increased the capacity of a payload to 700 km SSO to increase from 1900 kg to 2200 kg. The overall size of the rocket was also planned to grow, to the height of 54 m and wet mass of 232 tons.

Ministry of Science and ICT canceled the plan in 2021, criticizing it for lacking of challenge, and not reflecting the abolition of South Korea Ballistic Missile Range Guidelines. Subsequently, the ministry decided to develop KSLV-III instead of upgrading KSLV-II.

Usage

Nuri will be used in launching several Earth observation satellites, such as KOMPSAT, medium-class satellites and LEO reconnaissance satellites. It is planned to support South Korea's Moon exploration mission to send orbiters and landers. Nuri will be South Korea's first launch vehicle to enter the commercial launch service market. The launch cost is estimated to be around US$30 million, which is cheaper than its Asian counterparts. This will allow for South Korea to provide cheap launch services for Southeast Asia countries.

South Korea plans to launch a high-weight rocket named KSLV-3 in 2030 instead of improving the KSLV-2. The decision is aimed at narrowing the technology gap with other countries.

Instead, it plans to develop a low-cost rocket that miniaturizes the KSLV-2 and is considering launching a military satellite to monitor North Korea.

Launches

Flight No. Date / time (UTC) Payload Payload mass Orbit Customer Launch
outcome
1 October 21, 2021, 08:00 Nuri Test Payload 1 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) LEO (planned) KARI Failure
Third stage shut down 46 seconds early, failed to reach orbit
2 June 21, 2022, 07:00 Nuri Test Payload 2 (1.3 tons), PVSAT (180 kg, with 4 CubeSats) 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) SSO KARI Success
3 May 25, 2023, 09:24 NEXTSat-2, SNIPE 1,2,3,4, JLC-101-v1-2, Lumir-T1, KSAT3U 240 kg (530 lb) SSO KAIST, KASI Success
4 November 26, 2025, 16:13 CAS500 3, Domestic device and component verification satellite 1, 11 CubeSats 655.7 kg (1,446 lb) SSO KARI Success
5 October 7, 2026, 03:25 10 CubeSats, NEONSAT 2,3,4,5,6 1,071 kg (2,361 lb) SSO KARI Success
6 2027 NEXTSat 3, Domestic Device and Component Verification Satellite 3, NEONSAT 7,8,9,10,11 SSO KARI Planned

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Under the Roscosmos classification. It would be a medium-lift launch vehicle under the NASA classification.

References

  1. ↑ "한국 토종 우주발사체 누리호는 300개 기업이 함께 만들고 있다" [South Korea's homegrown space launch vehicle, Nuri, is being built through the collaboration of 300 companies.]. dongascience.donga.com (in Korean). 25 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  2. ↑ "국내 기술로 독자 개발 중인 한국형발사체 누리호 공개" [Nuri, the Korean launch vehicle being independently developed with domestic technology, unveiled.]. Korean Ministry of Science and Technology Information and Communication (in Korean). 19 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Korea Space Launch Vehicle KSLV-II". Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 "누리호 탑재 중량 1.5t→1.9t으로 성능 '업'" [Nuri Rocket Payload Capacity Upgraded from 1.5t to 1.9t] (in Korean). Donga Science. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "2조 규모의 '차세대발사체(KSLV-III)' 개발 사업, 예타 조사 통과" [2-Trillion-Won 'Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (KSLV-III)' Development Project Passes Feasibility Study]. sanhak (in Korean). 29 November 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "South Korea launches first homegrown space rocket Nuri". BBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "[출처: 중앙일보] 설계부터 제작까지 100% 국산 로켓 내달 발사" [[Source: JoongAng Ilbo] 100% domestically produced rocket—from design to manufacturing—to launch next month.] (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "South Korea delays launch of first homegrown space rocket". Yonhap News Agency. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  9. ↑ Ko, Jun-tae (7 June 2019). "Space: The final frontier, but not for much longer". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 "South Korea's KSLV-II conducts maiden launch". NASASpaceFlight.com. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Ayeong, Kim (22 June 2022). "다가온 '뉴 스페이스' 시대‥"민간에 누리호 기술 이전"" [The 'New Space' Era Is Here... "Nuri Rocket Technology to Be Transferred to the Private Sector"] (in Korean). MBC News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "South Korea test launches 1st domestically made space rocket". Ap News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Wonju, Yi (21 October 2021). "(3rd LD) South Korea fails to put dummy satellite into orbit". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 Clark, Stephen (21 June 2022). "South Korea's all-domestic satellite launcher reaches orbit for first time". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "South Korea succeeds in putting satellites into orbit, 7th in world". Kyodo News. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "S. Korea joins elite space club as 7th member". The Korea Herald. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Nuri, the Korea launch vehicle". KARI. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "한국형발사체 누리호" [Korean launch vehicle Nuriho] (in Korean). Korea Aerospace Research Institute. 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "[누리호] 설계부터 1차 발사까지 11년 7개월의 일지" [[Nuri] A Timeline of 11 Years and 7 Months: From Design to the First Launch] (in Korean). Science Times. 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  20. ↑ "Hanwha Techwin to Produce Liquid Rocket Engine for Korea Space Launch Vehicle". Business Korea. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  21. ↑ "누리호는 어떻게 구성되어 있을까요?" [How is Nuri structured?] (in Korean). Ministry of Science and ICT. 19 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  22. ↑ [KARI]연비가 향상된 로켓엔진 연소시험(100초) 공개 [[KARI] Combustion Test (100 Seconds) of Rocket Engine with Improved Fuel Efficiency Revealed] (in Korean). Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI TV. 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Korea Aerospace Research Institute [@kari2030] (10 September 2018). "올 10월로 다가올 #시험발사체 조립 장면 타임랩스 영상으로 만나 보시죠!" [Check out this time-lapse video showing the assembly of the test launch vehicle, scheduled for launch this October!] (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  24. ↑ "사진 > KARI IMAGE" [picture > KARI IMAGE]. kari.re.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  25. ↑ Si-soo, Park (21 March 2023). "South Korea's Innospace succeeds in test launch". Space News. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  26. ↑ "KSLV-II TLV Specifications". Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  27. ↑ Han-joo, Kim (28 November 2018). "South Korea to test launch space rocket engine". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  28. ↑ "S. Korea delays test launch of space rocket engine". Yonhal News Agency. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  29. ↑ Korea Aerospace Research Institute [@kari2030] (13 November 2018). "11월 28일, 한국형발사체 '누리호'의 엔진시험을 위한 시험발사체 발사가 추진될 예정입니다" [On November 28, a test launch vehicle is scheduled to be launched to test the engine of Nuri, the Korean launch vehicle.] (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  30. ↑ Han-joo, Kim (28 November 2018). "(2nd LD) Space rocket engine burn time test meets target goal". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  31. ↑ Korea Aerospace Research Institute [@kari2030] (27 November 2018). "#시험발사체 발사 성공! 발사 모습을 영상으로 공개합니다" [#TestLaunchVehicle launch successful! We are releasing a video of the launch.] (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved 7 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Han-joo, Kim (28 November 2018). "South Korea successfully tests space rocket engine". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  33. ↑ 2020년도 예비타당성조사 보고서 한국형발사체 고도화 사업 [2020 Preliminary Feasibility Study Report on the Korean Launch Vehicle Upgrade Project] (PDF) (Report) (in Korean). Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP). 23 August 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  34. ↑ Min-gu, Kang (5 July 2021). "[일문일답]임혜숙 "예타 탈락 누리호 개량 사업 보완해 도전"" [[Q&A] Lim Hye-sook: "We Will Revise and Resubmit the Nuri Upgrade Project After Preliminary Feasibility Study Rejection"]. Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  35. ↑ Gu-hui, Jeong (30 October 2021). "[더스페셜리스트] 가성비 떨어지는 누리호? 그래도 쏴야 하는 이유" [[The Specialist] Is Nuri Not Cost-Effective? Here's Why We Must Launch It Anyway]. SBS news (in Korean). Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  36. ↑ Ha-nee, Shin (30 March 2023). "Nuri rocket launch set for mid-May to late-June". JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  37. ↑ "항우연, 소형발사체 개발 도전" [KARI Takes on Small Launch Vehicle Development]. Electronic Times (in Korean). 6 April 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  38. ↑ "Independently made Nuri rocket takes S. Korea into stratosphere". The Hankyoreh. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  39. ↑ Kanayama, Lee (21 June 2022). "KARI reaches orbit on second test flight of domestic Nuri rocket". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  40. ↑ Dong-woo, Chang (13 June 2022). "Final preparations under way for 2nd launch of S. Korean space rocket". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "(URGENT) Nuri rocket's performance verification satellite reaches orbit:gov't". Yonhap News Agency. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  42. ↑ Davenport, Justin (25 May 2023). "South Korea launches research satellites on third Nuri flight". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  43. ↑ Shin, Hyonhee; Choi, Soo-Hyang (25 May 2023). "South Korea says homegrown space rocket put satellites into orbit". Reuters. Seoul.
  44. ↑ "CAS500-3". Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  45. ↑ "올해 11월 27일, 누리호 4차 발사" [4th launch of Nuri scheduled for November 27 this year]. Korea AeroSpace Administration (in Korean). 30 September 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  46. 1 2 Park Sang-hyeon (7 October 2026). "[누리호 성공] 설계부터 5차 발사까지…16년간의 여정". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 7 October 2026. Retrieved 7 October 2026.