# KSLV-II Nuri

> orbital launch vehicle in south korea

**Wikidata**: [Q624548](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q624548)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuri_(rocket))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kslv-ii-nuri

## Summary  
KSLV‑II Nuri (also called Nuri or Korean Space Launch Vehicle II) is South Korea’s orbital launch vehicle developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and built by Korea Aerospace Industries. Its maiden flight took place on 21 October 2021, and it succeeds the KSLV‑I Naro while paving the way for the planned KSLV‑III geostationary launcher.

## Key Facts  
- **First flight:** 21 October 2021.  
- **Developer & designer:** Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).  
- **Manufacturer:** Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).  
- **Country of origin:** South Korea.  
- **Vehicle class:** Launch vehicle; subclass of orbital launch vehicles.  
- **Predecessor:** KSLV‑I Naro (Russo‑Korean small orbital launcher).  
- **Successor planned:** KSLV‑III (geostationary launch vehicle).  
- **Key propulsion components:** Three rocket engines – two units of KRE‑075 (four‑stage and first‑stage) and one unit of KRE‑007 (upper‑stage).  
- **Aliases:** KSLV‑II, Nuri, Korean Space Launch Vehicle II, 누리호, KSLV‑2, among others.  
- **Multimedia:** Launch image – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/KSLV-II_Nuri_Launch_2021-10-21.jpg; launch video – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Third_launch_of_the_Korean_Space_Launch_Vehicle-II_on_25_May_2023.webm.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is KSLV‑II Nuri?  
A: KSLV‑II Nuri is South Korea’s domestically developed orbital launch vehicle, intended to place satellites into low‑Earth orbit and serve as a stepping stone toward larger launch capabilities.  

### Q: When did KSLV‑II Nuri first launch?  
A: Its inaugural flight occurred on 21 October 2021.  

### Q: Who built and designed KSLV‑II Nuri?  
A: The vehicle was designed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries.  

### Q: How does KSLV‑II Nuri relate to other Korean rockets?  
A: It follows the KSLV‑I Naro program and is slated to be succeeded by the KSLV‑III, which aims at geostationary missions.  

### Q: What engines power KSLV‑II Nuri?  
A: The rocket uses two KRE‑075 engines (one for the first stage, four for the fourth stage) and a single KRE‑007 engine for the upper stage.  

## Why It Matters  
KSLV‑II Nuri represents a pivotal achievement in South Korea’s ambition to become an independent space‑faring nation. By mastering the design, production, and operation of a medium‑class orbital launch vehicle, South Korea reduces reliance on foreign launch services, bolsters national security, and stimulates domestic high‑technology industries. The program also provides a testbed for advanced propulsion, guidance, and materials technologies that will feed into the more powerful KSLV‑III, targeting geostationary satellite deployment. Successful launches of Nuri demonstrate the country’s capability to support scientific, commercial, and defense satellite missions, enhancing its strategic position in the increasingly competitive global space market.  

## Notable For  
- **First domestically produced orbital launcher** for South Korea after the KSLV‑I Naro.  
- **Multi‑engine configuration** using both KRE‑075 and KRE‑007 rocket engines, showcasing indigenous propulsion development.  
- **Clear lineage** within the Korean Space Launch Vehicle series, bridging small‑satellite capability to future geostationary launch ambitions.  
- **Publicly documented launch media**, including high‑resolution images and video of its maiden and subsequent flights.  

## Body  

### Development History  
- Initiated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to replace reliance on foreign launch services.  
- Designed as a follow‑on to the KSLV‑I Naro, incorporating lessons learned from the Russo‑Korean collaboration.  
- Manufacturing contracted to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), leveraging existing aerospace infrastructure.  

### Technical Overview  
- **Vehicle type:** Two‑stage launch vehicle (first stage, upper stage).  
- **Propulsion:**  
  - First stage: KRE‑075 engine (single unit).  
  - Upper stage: KRE‑007 engine (single unit).  
  - Additional KRE‑075 units used for later flight phases (four‑stage configuration).  
- **Payload capacity:** Designed for low‑Earth‑orbit missions (specific mass not listed in source).  
- **Structure:** Classified as a vehicle model and a subclass of launch vehicles.  

### Launch Record  
- **Maiden flight:** 21 Oct 2021, successfully reached orbit.  
- Subsequent flights have been documented, including a third launch on 25 May 2023 (video available).  

### Relationship to Other KSLV Programs  
- **Predecessor:** KSLV‑I Naro – a small orbital launcher jointly developed with Russia.  
- **Successor (planned):** KSLV‑III – intended for geostationary payloads, expanding South Korea’s launch envelope.  
- **Related test vehicle:** KSLV‑II TLV, used for component and subsystem validation within the same program family.  

### International Context  
- Positions South Korea among a growing list of nations with indigenous orbital launch capability.  
- Supports national satellite programs such as NEXTSat‑2, a South Korean small satellite launched in 2023.  

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