South Korea's Nuri Rocket Launches Successfully

South Korea successfully launched its domestically developed Nuri rocket early Thursday, marking a milestone in the nation's push toward private-sector-led space exploration. The three-stage rocket lifted off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, at 1:13 a.m. local time, following a delay due to an abnormal signal from a pressure sensor. It reached its target altitude of 600 kilometers after 18 minutes and 25 seconds, deploying 13 payloads including the main 516-kilogram Compact Advanced Satellite 500-3, or CAS500-3, and 12 smaller cube satellites.

Aerospace officials with the Korea AeroSpace Administration, or KASA, confirmed the mission's initial success, noting that the CAS500-3 established communication with ground stations shortly after deployment. Five of the cube satellites also completed initial contact, with efforts underway to connect with the rest. The CAS500-3, built by Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, carries instruments for observing auroral activity with a wide-range airglow camera, measuring plasma and magnetic fields, and conducting bioprinting research in space. The cube satellites, developed by university teams and research...