Naro Space Centre
ActiveNo launches are currently scheduled from Naro Space Centre in the published manifest, which was last confirmed on 9 August 2026. Dates may have moved since.
Naro Space Centre is South Korea's first and only orbital launch site. After two partial failures with KSLV-I, the domestically-developed KSLV-II (Nuri) achieved its first successful orbital flight in June 2022 — making South Korea the 11th country to independently reach orbit.
Site history
Orbital mechanics from 34.4315°N
A launch site's latitude determines which orbits are achievable and at what fuel cost. Naro at 34.4315°N sets the following constraints:
Satellite train visibility from Naro
From 34.4315°N, Naro can reach 4 Starlink inclination shells: 43°, 53°, 70°, 97.6° SSO (polar).
Trains launched to higher inclinations are visible from more of the world. A 97° SSO train from Naro would be visible at virtually every latitude; a 53° train is visible from latitudes up to ±54° (primarily) — mostly tropical and subtropical regions. In the hours after launch — before satellites raise their orbits — a tight train of 20–60 bright dots crosses the sky roughly every 90 minutes. Use OrbitalNodes' Starlink tracker for exact train pass times.
Naro: South Korea's path to self-reliance
From the Naro Space Center at Goheung, South Korea graduated from the part-Russian Naro-1 to the wholly home-built Nuri (KSLV-II), which reached orbit and deployed working satellites — making the country a self-reliant launch nation.
A southern coastal site, it fires south over open water for a clean, unobstructed range.
Naro — Launch Site FAQ
Where is Naro and who operates it?
Naro Space Centre is located at 34.4315°N, 127.5351°E in South Jeolla, South Korea. It is owned and operated by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). The site has conducted approximately 6 orbital launches since its first in 2013.
What rockets launch from Naro?
Current vehicles operating from Naro Space Centre include KSLV-I (retired), KSLV-II (Nuri). Primary customers are KARI, launching South Korean government and scientific satellites.
What orbits can Naro reach?
At 34.4315°N, Naro's minimum achievable inclination is 34.4° (due-east launch). The ISS at 51.6° is reachable with a dogleg manoeuvre. The site can reach orbits between roughly 34° and 98° inclination.
Can I watch launches from Naro?
Yes — Naro Space Centre hosts a moderate cadence of approximately 2 orbital launches per year. Check the operator's website for public viewing arrangements and launch windows.
What satellites can I see that were launched from Naro?
Satellites regularly launched from Naro include South Korean government and scientific satellites. The ISS was supplied or crew-launched from sites at similar latitudes. Use OrbitalNodes to track any visible satellite in real time.
Why was Naro built at this latitude?
Naro at 34.4315°N was positioned to access the full range of low-Earth orbits including the ISS corridor. The site has been operational since 2013.
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