(MENAFN) South Korea on Tuesday moved its domestically produced Nuri rocket to the launchpad in preparation for its fourth mission, local media reported.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) said the 200-ton rocket began its slow transfer from the assembly building at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) south of Seoul, at around 9 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). The operation started about 1.5 hours later than scheduled due to adverse weather conditions.

KASA stated, “If we are unable to complete all of the scheduled procedures today, we plan to carry out additional work early on the following day to proceed with the launch operation as planned.” The rocket is expected to lift off early Thursday.

This upcoming flight marks the first mission led by private company Hanwha Aerospace and Nuri’s return to space more than two and a half years after its third launch in May 2023.

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