Nuri rocket gears up for launch

South Korea's homegrown space rocket 'Nuri', overseen by a private firm, is gearing up for launch early Thursday. It will be the first nighttime liftoff, expected around 1 a.m. local time.

Cable connections to supply power, fuel and oxidants concluded Wednesday morning, followed by mechanical checks. Ten minutes prior to blastoff, the activation of an automated operational program will begin, leading to the countdown. In the fourth launch, the rocket is carrying more satellites and a heavier load overall.

There are 13 satellites in total which adds up to about double the load of the third launch. Once the rocket reaches the target 600 kilometer altitude some ten minutes after liftoff, the main payload, the next-generation medium-sized satellite the CAS500-3 will be the first to separate and the other 12 cube satellites will follow suit in successive order.