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South Korea
South Korea
Agencies
KARI
KARI
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Time: 4:13 PM UTC (UTC +0)

This goes

to space

CAS500

CAS500 (Compact Advanced Satellite 500) is a standardized series of about 500 kg class South Korean Earth observation satellites developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and industry partners to enable repeatable lower cost production and private sector participation; all satellites in the series share a common platform or satellite bus with modular payloads, operate in Sun synchronous low Earth orbit at roughly 500 to 600 km altitude with about 97.7 degree inclination and around 15 orbits per day, and are designed for high resolution optical imaging of about 0.5 m panchromatic and about 2 m multispectral for land monitoring mapping disaster response and environmental observation. The platform is three axis stabilized solar powered and typically has a mission life of about four years, with an electro optical payload using a Korsch type telescope with about a 0.6 m primary mirror to achieve sub meter imaging from orbit. The program is structured as a multi satellite series of roughly five units using the same baseline design so each launch can carry identical or slightly modified payloads without redesigning the spacecraft, supporting mass production and technology transfer to industry; across launches only mission specific factors such as payload variation launch vehicle and exact orbital altitude tend to change while core parameters such as mass class orbit type imaging capability and platform architecture remain consistent.

CAS500

On this

rocket

Nuri (KSLV-2)

Nuri, which is also known as Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle II (KSLV-II), is designed to give South Korea its own domestic launch capability and to allow the nation to compete on the international market.

KARI designed the rocket with Hanwha Aerospace manufacturing the engines. Korea Aerospace Industries oversaw the final assembly of the booster. Hyundai Heavy Industries built the launch pad.

Development costs are estimated at 1.96 trillion won (US $1.7 billion), which includes spaceport construction.

The South Korean government has set SpaceX as a "role model", striving to develop relatively cheap and reliable rockets competitive enough for the commercial launch market. Currently, the goal is to launch a 1500 kg payload into a 600–800 km low Earth orbit (LEO) and 2600 kg into a 300 km LEO.

Nuri will be used in launching several Earth-observing satellites, such as KOMPSAT, medium-class satellites, and LEO reconnaissance satellites.

Nuri will be South Korea's first rocket to enter the commercial launch service market. The launch cost is estimated to be around US$30 million, which is cheaper than its Asian counterparts. This will allow South Korea to provide cheap launch services for Southeast Asia countries.

Photo: KSLV-II on the launch pad Credit: KAP

Nuri (KSLV-2)

From this

launch site

LC-2 - Naro Space Center, South Korea

LC-2, also called LB-2 for the pad itself, is the second pad of the Naro Space Center. It is set to support the KSLV-II launch vehicle beginning in 2021.

Different from LC-1, which doesn't have an umbilical tower, LC-2 has a tower to support the larger KSLV-II vehicle.

Naro Space Center

Naro Space Center is a South Korean spaceport in South Jeolla's Goheung County, operated by the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The spaceport is located about 485 km (300 mi) south of Seoul. It includes two launch pads, a control tower, rocket assembly, and test facilities, facilities for satellite control testing and assembly, a media center, an electric power station, a space experience hall, and a landing field.

Naro has supported 4 launches, and will continue to support the KSLV-II and SSLV launches in 2021 through 2025.

Image Credit: KARI

LC-2 - Naro Space Center, South Korea

Here's where to view CAS500-3

Viewing Sites
Know Before You Go

The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is located in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China.

It became fully operational in 1968 and sits 1,500 meters above sea level.

The center is used primarily to launch weather, Earth observation, and science missions to Sun-Synchronous orbits.

The launch site has also hosted Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile tests.

Taiyuan has three launch pads, LA-7, LA-9, and LA-16 and currently hosts the launches of the Long March-1D, -2C, -2C/SD, -4A, -4B, -4C, and -6 rockets.

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