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Korea struggles to launch Nuri rocket

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A test model of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 Nuri. / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT
A test model of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 Nuri. / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

By Jun Ji-hye

Korea appears to still be a long way from achieving its dream of becoming one of the main aerospace powerhouses, with its long-term project to launch the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 (KSLV-2) Nuri by 2021 not going as planned, aerospace experts said Tuesday.

The setback is attributed largely to the country's lack of diverse technology compared to other space powers such as the United States and Russia, they said.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) had initially planned to conduct the first flight of the test model carrying a locally developed booster engine, Oct. 25, but this was delayed due to mechanical problems.

At the time, the ministry said the 75-ton thrust, single-stage test model was originally set to be launched at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, but problems arose in the rocket propellant pressurization system.

The ministry convened a meeting, Tuesday, and said the test flight would take place on Nov. 28. If unexpected issues such as weather problems came up, the date could be moved back to between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4, it added.

"The mechanical problems have been resolved," a ministry official said.

But experts said that as the government already experienced mechanical problems during the development, it cannot be guaranteed that the remaining procedures will go as planned.

"Korea is way behind other space powers," said Kwon Se-jin, a professor of aerospace engineering at KAIST. "A rocket is comprised of a lot of parts. Countries such as the United States and Russia have nurtured and matured their technologies for more than 60 years. It is a matter of course that Korea, which is at the beginning stage, is undergoing trial and error."

The test launch will see the test model fly for about 10 minutes, during which time it will attain a sub-orbital altitude over 100 kilometers before landing in international waters between Korea's Jeju Island and Japan's Okinawa.

During the test launch, the engine's performance and flight control systems will be verified, the ministry said.

If successful, the three-stage KSLV-2 rocket is scheduled to be launched in 2021, with four of the indigenous thrust engines being used in the first stage and one in the second stage.

The Nuri is to be the nation's first space vehicle entirely designed and built in the country.

Prof. Kwon said rocket development is difficult as it is almost impossible for a country to receive support from other countries due to their regulations prohibiting outflow of their core technologies and relevant parts.

"This forces Korea to undergo the same trial and error that other space powers have experienced," he said. "Korea began developing products such as semiconductors and cars by utilizing foreign techniques, but that will not happen in the rocket development in principle."

He said even if the first flight test fails, the nation needs to continue to carry out more tests until it uncovers the causes of problems and resolves them.

Meanwhile, the ministry has also come under fire for excessively using the development of the rocket to promote its achievements.

During a National Assembly audit on Oct. 22, Rep. Lee Sang-min of the ruling Democratic Party said a more important thing is intention of researchers, stressing, "The ministry should not open everything related to the development to the public."


Jun Ji-hye jjh@koreatimes.co.kr


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