HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which helped Nuri, also sets its sights on next-generation launch vehicle project

[Financial News] HD Hyundai Heavy Industries contributed to the success of Nuri (KSLV-II)'s fifth launch by supporting operations of the launch pad system it built using its own technology. The company plans to expand its space launch infrastructure business into the next-generation launch vehicle project, drawing on experience gained from the Naro and Nuri programs.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said on the 7th that it supported pre-launch inspections and tests, as well as operation of the launch pad system, for the fifth launch of Korea's space launch vehicle Nuri (KSLV-II). The company oversaw the design, manufacture and construction of Nuri's launch pad system and also supported operations for the first through fourth launches. Ahead of this launch, it repaired key facilities, including the launch pad and the vehicle hold-down device (VHD), which had been exposed to flames and high temperatures during the fourth launch. It also inspected various sensors and control and measurement equipment to verify the overall performance and integrity of the launch pad system.
Drawing on its experience designing, manufacturing, building and operating the launch pad system for Naro (KSLV-I), the country's first space launch vehicle, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries won a contract from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in 2016 to provide a Korean launch pad system for Nuri. Naro was a two-stage launch vehicle measuring 33.5 meters in total length and weighing 140 tons, while Nuri grew in scale to a three-stage vehicle measuring 47.2 meters and weighing 200 tons.
Accordingly, a dedicated second launch pad for Nuri was built separately from the existing first launch pad for Naro. Completed in 2020, the second launch pad has three underground floors and a total floor area of about 6,000 square meters. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries designed, manufactured and installed the entire launch pad system using its own technology—from infrastructure work such as civil engineering and construction to ground-based launch pad machinery, propellant supply equipment and launch control equipment—and carried out launch operations. It also raised the localization rate for process technology used in Nuri's launch pad system to 100%, laying the groundwork for building and operating space launch infrastructure using domestic technology.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is expanding these capabilities into the next-generation launch vehicle project. Last month, it was selected as the preferred negotiating party for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's “Technical Services for the Detailed Design of the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Launch Pad System.” The next-generation launch vehicle is expected to be developed at about 70.8 meters in height and about 530.6 tons in weight. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to pursue contracts to manufacture and build the next-generation launch pad system and to participate in the development of the Second Space Center.
An HD Hyundai Heavy Industries official said, “The success of Nuri's fifth launch once again demonstrated the stability of the launch pad system we built using our own technology and our operational capabilities,” adding, “Building on the experience we gained with Naro and Nuri and our expertise in the detailed design of next-generation launch pads, we will contribute to the development of the Republic of Korea's space industry.”

[email protected] Jeong Won-il Reporter