Goheung : South Korea successfully launched its largest satellite into space on Thursday using the locally built Nuri rocket marking an important milestone in the country’s growing space program.

The rocket lifted off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung and carried a 516 kilogram science satellite along with 12 smaller cube satellites designed by universities and research groups. About 40 minutes after launch officials confirmed that the main satellite reached its planned orbit at around 600 kilometers above Earth and made contact with a ground station in Antarctica. Engineers also reported that its solar panels deployed properly and all systems were functioning.

This mission is the fourth launch for the Nuri rocket which has already had successful missions in 2022 and 2023. It is also the first time a private company Hanwha Aerospace played a major role in producing and assembling the rocket under government technology transfer. Officials say this represents a shift toward a more commercial and competitive space industry in the country.

The main satellite named CAS500 3 will collect scientific data including information on plasma magnetic fields auroras and space radiation. The smaller satellites will conduct a range of research such as ocean pollution monitoring testing new communication tools and energy experiments.

Government officials described the launch as a key step toward becoming one of the leading space capable nations. South Korea plans two more Nuri launches by 2027 and is preparing future missions focused on lunar exploration and advanced satellite networks.

For now scientists engineers and citizens are celebrating a successful launch that shows rapid progress in South Korea’s space ambitions.