South Korea prepares for second space rocket attempt

SEOUL, June 21 (Reuters) – South Korea is about for a second check launch of its domestically produced Nuri house rocket on Tuesday, eight months after the primary check efficiently blasted off however failed to position a dummy satellite tv for pc in orbit.

On Monday, the rocket was erected on its launch pad on the Naro House Middle on the southern coast of South Korea. The check had been scheduled for final week, however was scrubbed within the hours earlier than launch due to an issue with an oxidizer tank sensor.

Officers will determine Tuesday afternoon whether or not to proceed.

The three-stage KSLV-II Nuri rocket, designed by the Korea Aerospace Analysis Institute (KARI) to ultimately put 1.5-ton payloads into orbit 600 to 800 km above the Earth, is a cornerstone of the nation’s plans to jumpstart its house programme and obtain bold targets in 6G networks, spy satellites, and even lunar probes.

It makes use of solely Korean rocket applied sciences, and is the nation’s first domestically constructed house launch car. South Korea’s final booster, launched in 2013 after a number of delays and several other failed assessments, was collectively developed with Russia.

Nuri is vital to South Korean plans to ultimately construct a Korean satellite-based navigation system and a 6G communications community. The nation additionally plans to launch a variety of navy satellites, however officers deny that the Nuri has any use as a weapon.

South Korea can also be working with america on a lunar orbiter, and hopes to land a probe on the moon by 2030.

House launches have lengthy been a delicate concern on the Korean peninsula, the place North Korea faces sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile programme.

In March, South Korea’s navy individually oversaw what it mentioned was its first profitable launch of a solid-fuel space-launch rocket, one other a part of its plans to launch spy satellites.

In Nuri’s first check in October, the rocket accomplished its flight sequences however failed to position the check payload into orbit after its third-stage engine burned out sooner than deliberate.

Engineers adjusted the helium tank inside Nuri’s third-stage oxidizer tank to deal with that drawback, Yonhap information company reported.

The stakes shall be larger in Tuesday’s check, as along with a dummy satellite tv for pc, Nuri will carry a rocket efficiency verification satellite tv for pc and 4 dice satellites developed by universities for analysis.

KARI has mentioned it plans to conduct at the very least 4 extra check launches by 2027.

Reporting by Josh Smith. Enhancing by Gerry Doyle

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