Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Government / agency · 
South Korea · founded 1989
Industry / Companies / Korea AeroSpace Administration / Korea Aerospace Research Institute
9Orbital launches
56All launches (incl. suborbital)
16Satellites in orbit
11Satellites built
5Rockets / spacecraft
Korea Aerospace Research Institute is a government organisation based in South Korea, founded in 1989. Our records show 9 orbital launches, 16 satellites in orbit and 5 rockets or spacecraft.
Sources disagree.
Founding year: Launch Library 2 says 1989; GCAT (J. McDowell) says 1983; Wikidata says 1989
We show the value from the most detailed source and flag the difference instead of guessing.
Founding year: Launch Library 2 says 1989; GCAT (J. McDowell) says 1983; Wikidata says 1989
We show the value from the most detailed source and flag the difference instead of guessing.
Structure
Divisions, sites and subsidiaries
Products
Rockets and spacecraft
| Name | Type | Status | First flight | Launches | To low orbit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuri | Rocket | Active | 2021 | 5 | 2,600 kg |
| Naro-1 | Rocket | Retired | 2009 | 3 | |
| KSLV 2 TLV | Rocket | Retired | 2018 | 1 | |
| Mir (3 stage) | Rocket | Retired | 2023 | 1 | 100 kg |
| Mir | Rocket | Active | 0 | 500 kg |
Activity
Orbital launches per year
Satellites in orbit
By platform
| Kompsat | 5 |
| Eurostar 3000 | 2 |
| GK2 | 2 |
| LEOStar | 1 |
| STSat | 1 |
| CAS500 | 1 |
| Cubesat 12U | 1 |
Recent launches
| Date | Mission | Vehicle | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2026 | NeonSat | Nuri | NARO | Success |
| 26 Nov 2025 | CAS500-3 | Nuri | NARO | Success |
| 4 Dec 2023 | S-STEP | ADD TV2 | JEJU | Success |
| 25 May 2023 | NEXTSAT-2 | Nuri | NARO | Success |
| 2023 | Test | Hyunmoo-5 | ANHU | Unknown |
| 30 Dec 2022 | Space Test | ADD TV1 | ANHU | Success |
| 4 Oct 2022 | 2022-S92 | Hyunmoo-2B | GANGN | Success |
| 4 Oct 2022 | 2022-A26 | Hyunmoo-2B | GANGN | Failure |
| 4 Oct 2022 | 2022-S93 | ATACMS | GANGN | Success |
| 4 Oct 2022 | 2022-S94 | ATACMS | GANGN | Success |
| 21 Jun 2022 | PVSAT | Nuri | NARO | Success |
| 18 Apr 2022 | Sub launch | Hyunmoo-4 | ANHU | Success |
In the news
Recent headlines
- Alen Space delivers ETRISat CubeSat to ETRI for upcoming launch on Korean Nuri rocket SpaceDaily · 2 Dec 2025
- Korean Lunar Orbiter Danuri to Investigate Lunar Surface Space Scout · 4 Aug 2022
- KARI reaches orbit on second test flight of domestic Nuri rocket NASASpaceflight · 21 Jun 2022
- KARI names KPLO as it begins communication testing NASASpaceflight · 28 May 2022
- South Korean rocket fails to reach orbit on inaugural test flight Spaceflight Now · 21 Oct 2021
- South Korea’s KSLV-II conducts maiden launch attempt NASASpaceflight · 21 Oct 2021
Provenance