South Korea plans to launch its first commercial satellite in a domestically produced rocket next month, as part of its space development program, officials said on Tuesday. Representatives of South Korea claim that the Nuri launch vehicles do not have a military purpose. But some experts say the development of such missiles will eventually help the country acquire the technology it needs to build larger missiles and launch reconnaissance satellites amid its feud with rival North Korea.

Last June, South Korea launched its first satellite using the Nuri rocket. That launch included what South Korean officials call a “performance check,” designed primarily to test the rocket’s power, while next month’s event aims to put a commercial satellite into orbit for the first time. The science ministry said the rocket will launch from the space launch center on the country’s south island on May 24. In a statement, the ministry said that in case of possible changes in the program due to weather conditions, a backup launch date has been determined as May 25-31.

The rocket will carry a main satellite called “Next Generation Small Satellite 2” and seven other smaller cube-shaped satellites. The report states that the main satellite’s mission is to control radar imaging technologies and observe cosmic radiation in Earth orbit.

Having completed the assembly of the first and second stages of the rocket, the authorities are conducting the final environmental tests of the eight satellites that will be placed on the third stage of the rocket. That year’s launch was the second launch of the Nuri rocket. During the first launch in 2021, the rocket model reached the desired altitude, but could not enter orbit. According to officials, after the launch next month, South Korea plans to launch the Nuri missile three more times.

First Deputy Minister of Science Oh Tae-seok said, “The third Nuri launch is significant as it is the first attempt to launch a commercial-grade satellite and for the first time a private company will jointly produce its own Nuri rocket.” said. – Indicated in the message of the Ministry.

South Korea, the world’s 10th largest economy, is a major manufacturer of semiconductors, cars and smartphones. But its space development program lags behind its neighbors China, India and Japan. Since the early 1990s, South Korea has sent a number of satellites into space, but all have used foreign rocket technology or launch pads.

North Korea launched Earth observation satellites in 2012 and 2016, but there is no evidence that either satellite is operational. North Korea has faced international sanctions for two launches, which the UN regards as covert tests of North Korea’s banned long-range missile technology.