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THE nation successfully launched its fourth homegrown space rocket, known as Nuri, and put more than a dozen satellites into orbit, the Science Ministry said, marking the first launch jointly conducted with a private company.

South Korea started the ­government-funded Nuri rocket programme in 2021, but in the latest launch, local company Hanwha Aerospace led the ­manufacturing and assembly of the rocket, using technology transferred from the government.

A live stream on YouTube organised by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute showed the rocket ­soaring into the night sky from its launchpad in Goheung, located around 330km south of Seoul.

“This ... is the first time that private companies have participated in the entire process,” President Lee Jae Myung said in a message posted on Facebook.

“We have proven the ­independence of our science and technology; I believe it will be the foundation for future generations.”

The Nuri rocket lifted off from Naro Space Center on the ­southern coast of South Korea at 1.13am local time.

The main commercial-grade satellite and 12 other cube ­satellites carried by the rocket were successfully set in orbit, the Ministry of Science and ICT said.

Another South Korean ­company, HD Hyundai Heavy, operated the launchpad.

Shares in Hanwha Aerospace and HD Hyundai Heavy were both up 1.6% in Thursday ­morning trade, outperforming the wider market’s 1.1% rise.

Including yesterday’s launch, South Korea aims to test-launch a total of six rockets by the end of 2027.

The government said it has transferred technology to Hanwha as an effort to help the private sector build up ­capabilities in the space sector and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the aerospace industry. — Reuters