SK Hynix Chips Aboard Nuri Rocket Make First Contact from Space

The space-verification satellite 'E3T Unit 2,' carrying domestically developed components, has succeeded in its first two-way communication with a ground station from space. Nara Space Technology officially announced on the 8th that the satellite separated normally into its target orbit approximately 17 minutes after launch, and made contact about 1 hour and 57 minutes after separation. The satellite, carrying SK Hynix-made semiconductors and other domestically developed space-grade components and technologies, was launched into space aboard the fifth Nuri rocket from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on October 7, and will now undergo performance verification in the actual space environment. Nara Space said it is currently checking the satellite's basic status and carrying out initial operational procedures.

E3T Unit 2 was built to test domestically developed space-grade semiconductors, electronic devices, components, and technologies in a real space environment. It is a 12U-class cube satellite weighing 18.08 kg, consisting of a 4U main body system and an 8U payload bay. It is designed to test equipment with different characteristics in space and transmit the collected data back to Earth.

SK Hynix's DRAM and NAND flash are being verified in an actual space environment. Other test items include Inesera Solution's high-speed precision steering mirror, Momentum Space's reaction wheel, and KAIST's attitude determination and system module. A 1A-class hollow cathode for electric propulsion developed by Cosmo Bee and avionics equipment for an orbital transfer vehicle from Intergravity Technologies will also be verified aboard E3T Unit 2.

Nara Space launched the space-verification satellite 'E3T Unit 1' on the fourth Nuri rocket launch in November last year. E3T Unit 1 has been in operation for about 11 months.