ID :
76772
Tue, 08/25/2009 - 08:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76772
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea completes 'rehearsal' for first space rocket launch
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has completed a full-fledged "rehearsal" with a day remaining before the planned launch of its first space rocket, the state-run aerospace institute said Monday.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said engineers have finished
comprehensive check-ups that started at 11 a.m. on the Korea Space Launch
Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) and its liftoff support systems.
The liftoff has tentatively been set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Seoul has delayed the
launch seven times since 2005, with the last postponement taking place last
Wednesday due to a minor software glitch that stopped the countdown less than
eight minutes before blastoff.
After moving the rocket from the launch pad back to the assembly building last
Thursday, engineers debugged a faulty software system. The rocket, also called
the Naro-1, was moved back to the launch pad Sunday.
Working-level officials, meanwhile, said the six-hour examination checked all
mechanical, fire control and electronics systems, along with the radars and
optical tracking devices that will follow the rocket's ascent.
"Everything related to the launch has been simulated, with no problems detected,"
said Min Kyung-ju, the KARI official in charge of the Naro Space Center. He added
engineers are currently examining data to see if the rocket can be launched
safety.
Depending on the outcome of the tests and weather conditions, an exact time for
the launch should be set at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Preliminary forecasts said weather conditions around the launch site should not
affect the liftoff, although the sky may be overcast.
A rocket can take off in the rain, but its flight can be jeopardized by wind and
lightning.
The Naro-1 stands 33m tall with a diameter of 2.9m. Its main first stage
liquid-fuel rocket, made in Russia, can generate 170t of thrust. The second stage
rocket, made in South Korea, can generate 8t of thrust and is designed to place a
satellite into orbit.
Mission controllers, meanwhile, said security has been tightened around the Naro
Space Center, located 485km south of Seoul. Navy and Coast Guard ships are
keeping watch on all maritime traffic, and plans are in place to divert all
commercial airline traffic near the time of the launch.
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has completed a full-fledged "rehearsal" with a day remaining before the planned launch of its first space rocket, the state-run aerospace institute said Monday.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said engineers have finished
comprehensive check-ups that started at 11 a.m. on the Korea Space Launch
Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) and its liftoff support systems.
The liftoff has tentatively been set for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Seoul has delayed the
launch seven times since 2005, with the last postponement taking place last
Wednesday due to a minor software glitch that stopped the countdown less than
eight minutes before blastoff.
After moving the rocket from the launch pad back to the assembly building last
Thursday, engineers debugged a faulty software system. The rocket, also called
the Naro-1, was moved back to the launch pad Sunday.
Working-level officials, meanwhile, said the six-hour examination checked all
mechanical, fire control and electronics systems, along with the radars and
optical tracking devices that will follow the rocket's ascent.
"Everything related to the launch has been simulated, with no problems detected,"
said Min Kyung-ju, the KARI official in charge of the Naro Space Center. He added
engineers are currently examining data to see if the rocket can be launched
safety.
Depending on the outcome of the tests and weather conditions, an exact time for
the launch should be set at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Preliminary forecasts said weather conditions around the launch site should not
affect the liftoff, although the sky may be overcast.
A rocket can take off in the rain, but its flight can be jeopardized by wind and
lightning.
The Naro-1 stands 33m tall with a diameter of 2.9m. Its main first stage
liquid-fuel rocket, made in Russia, can generate 170t of thrust. The second stage
rocket, made in South Korea, can generate 8t of thrust and is designed to place a
satellite into orbit.
Mission controllers, meanwhile, said security has been tightened around the Naro
Space Center, located 485km south of Seoul. Navy and Coast Guard ships are
keeping watch on all maritime traffic, and plans are in place to divert all
commercial airline traffic near the time of the launch.
