2025 Nuri rocket launch — South Korea’s biggest satellite launch yet
- Dogeon Lim
- Dec 1, 2025
- 1 min read
Dec 1, 2025
Dogeon Lim
South Korea reached a major new landmark in its space today, as a nationally developed rocket successfully launched the country’s largest satellite yet. The three-stage Nuri rocket lifted off on November 27th from Naro Space Center in Goheung, carrying a 516-kilogram science satellite along with 12 smaller microsatellites.
Shortly after launch, the main satellite slated to operate about 600 kilometres above Earth established contact with the King Sejong Station in Antarctica, confirming proper deployment and solar-panel activation. Ground stations in South Korea and Norway also reported signal links soon after.
The primary satellite is armed with instruments designed to monitor auroral activity, atmospheric airglow, plasma conditions, and magnetic fields. It will also test space-based life-science experiments. The smaller “cube” satellites, developed by various universities and research institutes, will perform diverse tasks from atmospheric studies and weather monitoring to ocean-plastic detection and testing solar-cell or communications technologies.
This marks the fourth successful rocket of Nuri and the first time a private company, Hanwha Aerospace, led the assembly under technology transferred from the national space agency. Officials say the feat demonstrates South Korea’s growing independence in space launch capabilities and reflects an evolving shift toward collaboration between the government and private sector in its space industry.
Looking ahead, the government plans two further Nuri launches by 2027. With successful launches like this, South Korea appears prepared to deepen its role in space exploration, Earth-observation, and next-generation satellite technology.
