Nuri (KSLV-II) Set for 5th Launch on Oct. 7, Carrying 15 Satellites

[Financial News] South Korea's Nuri (KSLV-II) launch vehicle is set to make its fifth launch on Oct. 7.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said it held the first Launch Management Committee meeting on the 27th at its headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, and decided that the planned launch date for Nuri's fifth mission will be Oct. 7, 2026. 
At the meeting, the committee reviewed the readiness of Nuri's fifth rocket, the payload satellites, and the Naro Space Center, including the launch pad and tracking systems. It also examined future plans and launch conditions such as weather, the space environment, and the risk of collision with space objects. To allow for possible schedule changes caused by weather and other unexpected factors, a backup launch window was set for Oct. 8 to Oct. 14.
In addition, given the mission of the small satellite constellation, which is designed for high-frequency, high-precision monitoring to support national security and disaster response, the launch time has been set between 12:23 p.m. and 1:23 p.m. The final launch time on Oct. 7 will be confirmed on the day of launch.
At the Naro Space Center in Goheung County, final assembly of the launch vehicle, including stage-to-stage integration and installation of pyrotechnics, is progressing smoothly. Five small satellites, the main payload, arrived at the space center on the 24th and are undergoing functional checks before being loaded onto the rocket. Ten CubeSats developed by industry, academia, and research institutions as secondary payloads are scheduled to arrive at the space center by the 31st. These 10 CubeSats include one domestically developed components and parts verification satellite, two CubeSats from a competition, and seven public contest-selected satellites. In total, 15 satellites will be carried on Nuri's fifth launch.
Performance verification tests for the launch pad and tracking systems at the Naro Space Center have been completed, and the facilities will be kept in optimal condition through continuous inspections until launch. Weather and space conditions are expected to be favorable on the planned launch date, and no collision risk with space objects is forecast.
In addition, to prepare thoroughly for any emergency that may arise during launch preparations and the launch process, and to ensure public safety, KASA conducted a launch safety control command training exercise on July 15. It also plans to hold a comprehensive drill in early September with 12 organizations, including government agencies, the military, police, and local governments. During the drill, KASA will simulate emergency situations and review response measures through realistic, scenario-based training.
Oh Tae-seok, administrator of KASA, said, "This fifth Nuri launch is a major mission that will carry a record 15 satellites and, for the first time in South Korea, place a satellite constellation into orbit. It will be an opportunity to advance Nuri's mission capability and space transportation capacity to the next level." He added, "With about a month left, we will make thorough preparations to ensure a successful launch."


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