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An Overview of South Korea's Space Industry (Nuri and Danuri)

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1. The background behind Nuri (KSLV-II) development

Nuri is a Korean-made launch vehicle developed entirely with domestic technology, from design to manufacturing, developed with the goal of placing a 1.5-ton-class practical satellite into low Earth orbit.

2. Nuri's first launch (October 2021)

In the first launch, carried out on October 21, 2021, the third-stage engine shut down earlier than planned, and the satellite mock-up failed to reach its target orbit, resulting in only a partial success.

3. Nuri's second launch (June 2022)

In the second launch on June 21, 2022, a performance verification satellite and others were successfully placed into their target orbit, making South Korea the world's 7th country capable of independently launching a 1-ton-class or larger practical satellite.

4. Nuri's third and fourth launches, and future plans

The third launch on May 25, 2023 and the fourth launch on November 27, 2025 each successfully placed practical satellites into orbit, with one additional launch each planned for 2026 and 2027.

5. Danuri's (KPLO) lunar exploration mission

Launched on August 5, 2022, Danuri is South Korea's first lunar orbiter, successfully entering its lunar mission orbit on December 26 of that same year. Its mission has since been extended twice, and it is planned to observe the lunar surface and space environment through 2027.

6. The role of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)

KARI is the government-funded research institute that has led the development of the Nuri launch vehicle, Danuri, and other satellites; in 2024, it was brought under the newly launched Korea AeroSpace Administration as a subordinate institution.

7. The background behind the founding of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA)

KASA is a central administrative agency dedicated to space, launched on May 27, 2024 under the Ministry of Science and ICT; styled as Korea's answer to NASA, it oversees space development strategy and the promotion of the related industry.

8. Future plans for South Korea's space industry

KASA has set a goal of becoming one of the world's top 5 space powers by 2045, and is pursuing a mid- to long-term roadmap including the development of next-generation launch vehicles and expanded space exploration toward the Moon and Mars.

South Korea is now a space launch vehicle-owning nation

With the successful launch of Nuri, South Korea became the world's 7th country to secure independent launch vehicle technology, and with Danuri, it also took its first step into lunar exploration. With the launch of the Korea AeroSpace Administration in 2024, it has also gained a control tower to systematically oversee space development.

Also explore the satellites launched by Nuri

Nuri has carried out missions placing various practical satellites, including performance verification satellites, into orbit. See our guide to types and roles of artificial satellites to explore satellite classifications by use and the characteristics of different orbits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Nuri and Danuri different?

Nuri is a launch vehicle that carries satellites into space, while Danuri is South Korea's first lunar probe, launched in 2022 not on Nuri but on a SpaceX Falcon 9.

What kind of organization is the Korea AeroSpace Administration?

KASA is a central administrative agency dedicated to space, launched in May 2024, overseeing the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute as subordinate bodies, and handling everything from space development strategy to industry promotion and space hazard response.