[News Today] Nuri rocket gears up for launch

[LEAD]
Korea's homegrown space rocket, Nuri, is ready to launch again. Its fourth mission lifts off early tomorrow morning.

It will be led by a civilian team for the first time and marks its first pre-dawn launch.

So far, all preparations are going smoothly, with final checks underway.

[REPORT]
Just one day left until the fourth launch of South Korea's homegrown space rocket Nuri.

All procedures thus far have been smooth.

The rocket was erected upright at the launch pad on Tuesday.

Cable connections to supply power, fuel and oxidants concluded Wednesday morning, followed by mechanical checks.

Ten minutes prior to blastoff, the activation of an automated operational program will begin, leading to the countdown.

Gong Cheol-won / Korea Aerospace Research Institute
We checked using surveillance camera to ensure clear nocturnal vision so we don't expect major issues in the preparation stage.

In the fourth launch, the rocket is carrying more satellites and a heavier load overall.

There are 13 satellites in total which adds up to about double the load of the third launch.

Once the rocket reaches the target 600 kilometer altitude some ten minutes after liftoff,

the main payload, the next-generation medium-sized satellite the CAS500-3 will be the first to separate and the other 12 cube satellites will follow suit in successive order.

Once the separations are over, the Nuri rocket would have completed its mission.

It's the first time that a private company is in charge of the launch process from the assembly to all stages of production.

It's also the first nighttime liftoff.

This is to ensure the main payload, tasked with observing the aurora, is put onto the right orbit.

Considering weather conditions, the launch time will be finalized Wednesday evening. It's expected to be around 1 a.m. Thursday.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS