Launch sequence of S. Korea`s first space rocket

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- The following is the launch and satellite deployment
sequence of South Korea's first space rocket. Blast off is set at between
4:40-6:20 p.m. (Seoul Time), Wednesday.

Four days before launch - Battery cells are on board Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1
(KSLV-1) and Science and Technology Satellite-2 (STSAT-2) is recharged

Three days before launch - Weather conditions on launch date are checked, with all
systems examined

54 hours before launch - KSLV-1 with STSAT-2 payload is moved to launch pad and
fastened to erector arm assembly with final check conducted on all vital mechanical
systems

24 hours before launch - Launch rehearsal is carried out to check all rocket systems
and to conduct final check prior to blast off. Weather conditions around Naro Space
Center are checked for strong winds, lightning

Four hours before launch - All launch systems and preparations are checked with
controllers to determine "go or no-go" for the injection of fuel and high pressure
oxidation agents into rocket

18 minutes before launch - Chief technical controller is to make final decision to
move forward or abort launch

15 minutes before launch - Automatic launch sequence begins for final countdown

Launch - Thrust from main booster engine sends rocket into space with land-based
tracking radars and highspeed cameras following its assent and collecting data

20 second after launch - KSLV-1 veers south 900m above launch pad after making
vertical assent

55 seconds after launch - Rocket exceeds speed of sound 7.4km from the ground

215 seconds after launch - Fairings at tip of rocket are ejected 245km from launch
pad at an altitude of 177km to permit separation of second stage rocket from main
booster. Fairings fall to earth

229 seconds after launch - Engine for the first stage main booster is turned off

232 seconds after launch - First and second stage rockets separate 316km from Naro
Space Center at an altitude of 196km, with main booster falling near the Philippines


395 seconds after launch - Kick motor of second stage rocket ignites at an altitude
of 303km to help position satellite into proper orbit. Rocket 1,052km from Naro
Space Center

453 seconds after launch - Second stage rocket turned off after STSAT-2 reaches
correct trajectory for stable orbit

540 seconds after launch - Scientific satellite separates from second stage rocket
2,055km from launch pad, at an altitude of 302km to deploys solar panels and align
itself into proper orbit

13 hours after launch - STSAT-2 to make first contact with controllers at the Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Deajeon
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)