South Korea's successful launch of its domestically developed rocket marks a step towards becoming a space power.

South Korea's domestically developed Nuri rocket successfully launched for the fourth time early Thursday morning (November 27) from the Naro Space Center in Goheung County, South Jeolla Province. The rocket carried the next-generation medium-sized satellite Nuri-3 and 12 small CubeSats, all of which entered their designated orbits, achieving the intended launch objectives. This was South Korea's first space launch conducted through a public-private partnership. Hanwha Aerospace Corporation used government-transferred technology to manufacture and assemble the rocket and participated in the launch operation led by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI); the launch pad was operated by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. President Lee Jae-myung described the launch as marking a new chapter in South Korea's space development history, and stated that South Korea will continue to strive towards becoming one of the world's top five space powers. (Reuters)