Story perspectives

South Korea to Launch Four Reconnaissance Microsatellites in 2031

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 12:25 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

South Korea will launch four military reconnaissance microsatellites aboard the Nuri rocket in 2031.
Nuri will conduct at least one launch each year from 2027 to 2032.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said eight additional microsatellites may follow the 2031 launch.
President Lee Jae-myung warned launch vehicles and satellites will become core military assets and urged investment.
Officials aim for a 90% launch success rate to improve Nuri reliability.

History

Historical Context

In 2009, South Korea’s first indigenous launch vehicle, the Naro-1, lifted off from Baikonur but crashed shortly after liftoff, ending in failure. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Science and ICT invested $140 million, yet the vehicle achieved a 0 % orbital insertion rate. Today, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul’s plan to field four Nuri-launched reconnaissance microsatellites mirrors the earlier drive to prove domestic launch reliability. Achieving a 90 % success target could cement Nuri as a strategic asset, reducing reliance on foreign rockets and reshaping Korea’s defense posture.

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Story summary

South Korea will launch four military reconnaissance microsatellites aboard the Nuri rocket in 2031.
Nuri will conduct at least one launch each year from 2027 to 2032.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said eight additional microsatellites may follow the 2031 launch.
President Lee Jae-myung warned launch vehicles and satellites will become core military assets and urged investment.
Officials aim for a 90% launch success rate to improve Nuri reliability.

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