Korea in space: from Uribyol 1 to Nuri
A short history of the Korean space program: the first satellite in 1992, Arirang and Chollian, the Naro and Nuri rockets, the Danuri lunar orbiter, and the satellites in orbit today.
The first satellites (1992–1999)
Korea's first satellite, Uribyol 1 (KITSAT-1), was built by KAIST with help from the University of Surrey and launched in August 1992. Uribyol 2 and 3 followed, built increasingly in Korea. The Koreasat (Mugunghwa) communication satellites began in 1995, and Arirang 1, the first of a long line of Earth-observation satellites, launched in 1999.
Watching Earth: Arirang and Chollian
The Arirang (KOMPSAT) series images Earth from low orbit for mapping, agriculture and disaster response, with sharper cameras and radar on each new satellite. The Chollian satellites in geostationary orbit, from 2010 on, watch the weather, the ocean and air quality over Asia without a break.
Korea's own rockets: Naro and Nuri
Naro (KSLV-I) reached orbit on its third attempt in January 2013, with a Russian first stage. Nuri (KSLV-II) is entirely Korean-built. Its first flight in October 2021 fell just short of orbit; the second, in June 2022, put a performance-verification satellite into orbit, and later flights have carried several Korean satellites at a time, making Korea one of the few countries able to launch its own satellites.
To the Moon, and a space agency
Danuri, Korea's first lunar orbiter, launched in August 2022 and has been mapping the Moon from orbit since the end of that year. In 2024 Korea set up its national space agency, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), to lead the program. Today Korean satellites in orbit range from weather and observation satellites to university and company cubesats.