KAI Contributes to Successful Launch of Homegrown Rocket Nuri

Korea Aerospace Industries’ launch vehicle system team poses prior to the third flight of the Nuri, which was successfully blasted off at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, on May 25.

The third flight of the homegrown space launch vehicle, also known as Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II, KSLV-II, was successfully carried out on May 25. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) performed core roles in the flight, such as assembling of the integrated launch vehicle, first-stage propellant tank and clustering assembly.

Unlike the first and second flights, which were loaded with test satellites, the latest mission carried eight commercial satellites with diverse missions, such as space radiation/weather monitoring, including the Next Generation Small Satellite 2 (NEXTSat-2).

The Nuri will be launched for three more occasions by 2027 to raise its performance, manufacturing safety and launch reliability.

KAI has already begun the manufacturing of a first-stage propellant tank for the upcoming fourth launch of the Nuri, in addition to its preparations for the latest launch.

The planned fourth flight will be loaded with the Next-generation Medium Satellite 3, being developed by the private sector under KAI’s overall supervision on design, testing and production.

A KAI official said, “KAI, the nation’s sole company to have carried all, ranging from stage assembly to system integration assembly, feels proud for the successful launch, and we’ll contribute to the successful launch of the homegrown launch vehicle Nos. 4, 5 and 6.”

KAI has led projects the government has implemented for the past 30 years, such as launch vehicle and medium- and large-size satellite development, laying a foothold in the Korean space industry.

Dignitaries, including Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and President Kang Goo-young of Korea Aerospace Industries, pose at the LIMA 2023 in Malaysia on May 23. (Photos: KAI)

KAI Inks Contract on FA-50M with Malaysia

A contract to supply FA-50M, signed by KAI with Malaysia on May 2 was evaluated to be a core project at a contract signing ceremony organized by the Royal Malaysian Defense Ministry, at LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) 2023.

The Royal Malaysian Defense Ministry held a joint ceremony to strike 51 major national defense projects at LIMA 2023 and declared the launch of the projects.

The deal on FA-50Ms with KAI, Malaysia’s largest-ever national defense procurement project, drew a keen attention from the Southeast Asian country, becoming the topic of the first session.

Among those on hand at the event on the deal on FA-50Ms were KAI President Kang Goo-young, Malaysian Defense Ministry Secretary General Dato’ Sri Muez bin Abd Aziz, Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan.

KAI President Kang said, “I extend thanks to the Royal Malaysian Defense Ministry’s selecting FA-50Ms, and KAI will do its best to contribute to stepping up the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s capabilities by delivering the aircraft just in time through thorough preparations.

Starting with exports, KAI will ramp up strategic cooperation with Malaysia.

The company aims to not only export additional FA-50s, but also explore business opportunities to export homegrown aircraft, such as the 4.5-generation fighter jet KF-21, KUH-1 Surion helicopter and the light armed helicopter (LAH).