South Korea launches Nuri rocket with 15 satellites

South Korea launched its domestically developed “Nuri” rocket on Wednesday, sending 15 satellites into orbit, including five for the country’s first domestically launched microsatellite constellation.

The 200-ton rocket lifted off at 12:25 p.m. local time from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, about 400 kilometres southwest of Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The payload included five New-space Earth Observation Satellite Constellation for National Safety (NEONSAT) microsatellites and 10 CubeSats. NEONSAT satellites numbered 2 through 6 were scheduled for deployment at intervals of 35 to 40 seconds at an altitude of about 575 kilometres, followed by the CubeSats.

Each NEONSAT weighs less than 100 kilograms and is equipped with an electro-optical camera capable of distinguishing objects as small as one metre in black-and-white images. The satellites are designed to monitor the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas for national security and disaster response.

Five more NEONSAT satellites are due to launch on “Nuri”’s sixth flight next year, completing the 10-satellite constellation.

During its fourth flight in November 2025, “Nuri” placed 13 satellites into orbit, including the CAS500-3 and 12 CubeSats. That mission was the rocket’s first nighttime launch and the first led by private company “Hanwha Aerospace”.