Cork in Aerospace: South Korea’s NURI Rocket
Cork-Based Thermal Protection System for South Korea’s NURI Rocket
Case study on Amorim Cork Solutions’ high-performance TPS material applied in KSLV-II, South Korea’s flagship orbital launch vehicle.The Korean Space Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II), also known as NURI, integrates Amorim Cork Solutions’ thermal protection system (TPS) to ensure reliable insulation and lightweight performance in extreme aerospace environments. Developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), this flagship launch vehicle marks a major milestone for South Korea’s space program.
The Challenge
South Korea aimed to develop an entirely domestic launch vehicle capable of placing satellites into orbit. Key to this mission was the need for a thermal protection system that could:
Resist extreme temperatures during ascent and re-entry
Reduce overall vehicle weight without compromising performance
Contribute to the sustainability of materials used in aerospace
Given these requirements, traditional TPS materials presented limitations in terms of weight and environmental impact.
Our Solution
Amorim Cork Solutions provided its P50 cork-based thermal protection system, a high-performance, lightweight composite material engineered to deliver:
• Exceptional thermal insulation
• Mass reduction, critical for launch efficiency
• Environmental benefits, with cork being a natural, renewable raw material
Amorim TPS was integrated into NURI's external structure to safeguard critical components under severe thermal and mechanical loads.
Results and Impact
The NURI vehicle successfully completed multiple test flights, validating the effectiveness of the Amorim TPS. The integration of cork provided:
Proven resistance to thermal stress
Weight savings that supported mission success
A positive shift towards more sustainable aerospace materials
This case reinforces the suitability of cork composites for next-generation space vehicles.
Why It Matters
This project highlights the growing trust in Amorim Cork Solutions across the Asian aerospace sector, and demonstrates how natural materials like cork can meet the most demanding technological challenges in space exploration.