Naro Space Centre
ActiveNo launches are currently scheduled from Naro Space Centre in the published manifest.
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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