South Korea Strives to Join Major Space Nations with First Indigenous Orbital Launch

Korea Space Launch Vehicle 2 (KSLV-II) / Nuri (World) is set to mark South Korea entry into club of nations with domestic orbital launch capability with Oct 21 launch window opening 16:00 KST (GMT+9) at Naro Space Center in Goheung (34.4°N, 127.5°E). Developed over a decade by Korea Aerospace Research Institute, prime engine contractor Hanwha Aerospace and 300+ other commercial partners, 3-stage Nuri is flagship launch vehicle of ROK, expected to provide access to space for regional clients at low cost (~US$30M per launch), advance KOMPSAT Earth observation program, and send Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (NET 2022) / lander to Moon (NET 2030). The first stage of vehicle is powered by four 75-ton KRE-075 engines, stage 2 has an additional KRE-075, and stage 3 a single 7-ton KRE-007 engine – all are fueled by LOX / kerosine. Payload capacity is rated at 2,600 kg to 300 km LEO / 1,500 kg to 600–800 km SSO. With legacy restrictions imposed by USA preventing solid fuel rocket development lifted in 2020 / limiting launch capability to <800km lifted in May, South Korea is advancing plans to increase space budget >5% to $553M for 2022 and produce solid-propellant rocket by 2024. Kari also plans to develop Nuri platform with a 2-stage small sat launcher within a 2025-30 time frame and a Heavy Lift launcher 2030-40. (Image Credits: KARI)

MONDAY

Dubai, UAE Hosting Space Exploration, Experts Meetings Preliminary to 72nd IAC

Leading up to 2021 IAC in Dubai, the UN, SGAC, IAA and IAF are holding events with gender, generation, geography, inclusion and education in focus. UNOOSA ‘United Nations Space for Women Expert Meeting: Initiatives, Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Space’ on October 21-22 will have 4 sessions including presentations, discussions, lectures and networking to advocate for equality in space sectors. The Space Generation Advisory Council will have its Space Generation Congress Oct 21-23 with up to 150 international top university students and young professionals engaging in working groups, keynotes and panels. This year the 2 top priorities for SGAC are identified as ‘active implementation of sustainability practices and focus on community connection’ and specifically space technologies for climate / environmental issues. The 28th UN-IAF Workshop on Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits themed Space Exploration – A source of Inspiration, Innovation and Discovery on Oct 22-24 will promote capacity building opportunities for emerging space countries. On Oct 24 the International Academy of Astronautics Academy Day 2021 and award dinner will see global IAA member reports on current developments possibly including cooperation with National Academies, heads of space agencies, Astronauts, space engineers and policy makers. Also Oct 24 is the IAC Hosts Summit when the candidate location for 2024 IAC will be announced from contenders: Adelaide, Budapest, Milan, Sao Paulo, Seville. (Image Credits: UN, IAF, SGAC, IAF, ESA)

Oct 18-20 — Geological Society of London, Online / United Kingdom: Conference: Habitats Beyond Earth.

Continued From…

Aug 2 – Oct 31 — SpaceBase, Planet, Christchurch, New Zealand and Online: Space for Planet Earth Challenge; seeking innovative ideas from New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Island residents at High School and University / Start-up level to address climate change through space technologies.

Oct 4 – Nov 10 — AIAA, Online / Reston VA: AIAA Short Course: Spacecraft Design, Development and Operations.

TUESDAY

Oct 19 — Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), HEO: NASA spacecraft mapping boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space reaches 13 full years / enters 14th year in Space today, launched on this day 2008.

Oct 19 — ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter 2016, Mars Orbit: ESA and Roscosmos spacecraft reaches 5 full years / enters 6th years at Mars, launched 2016; craft continues collecting data on atmosphere, deployed Schiaparelli demonstration lander 19 Oct 2016 (unsuccessful).

Oct 19 — Lunar and Planetary Institute, Online / Houston TX: Lecture: Sharing Planetary Science – Engaging Children.

Oct 19-21 — International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, JAXA, Osaka, Japan: 11th IAASS Conference: Managing Risk in Space.

Oct 19-21 — National Academies of Sciences, Online / Washington DC: 168th meeting of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board.

Oct 19 – Nov 11 — AIAA, Online / Reston VA: AIAA Short Course: Space Architecture: Designing a Lunar Habitation System.

Oct 19 — Mercury: At perihelion, 0.3075 AU from Sun, 14:00.