ID :
76955
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 08:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76955
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(Yonhap Interview) Rocket launch to help Korea hone space technology: KARI chief
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The successful launch of South Korea's first rocket will help the country gain "independence" in cutting edge space development technology, the head of a state aerospace institute said Tuesday.
Lee Joo-jin, president of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), said
that despite a 40-year late start, Seoul has made significant strides and the
launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) will be a turning point for
the country.
"From the country's first satellite placed in orbit, South Korea had to rely on
foreign rockets and space centers that made it impossible to schedule launches to
meet local requirements," he said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Such restrictions have increased costs and raised the risk of confidential
satellite technology falling into foreign hands, he stressed, adding that all
this has changed with the successful liftoff.
The inability of the country to make its own first-stage liquid-fueled rocket has
also been cited for the liftoff date being pushed back seven times since 2005.
The most recent delay, which took place last Wednesday, caused mission
controllers to call of the launch with less than eight minutes before ignition of
the rocket engine.
The official said that although South Korea has a long way to go in the
development of both rocket and satellite technology, it has the capability to
make inroads into the global satellite arena should it make concerted efforts to
expand its knowhow.
The market has been traditionally dominated by the United States, Russia, and
European countries, but China, Japan and India are all scrambling to catch up
with the leaders.
Lee said that Seoul's goal over the next 10 years is to raise the country's
satellite building potential to 90 percent of established leaders like the U.S.
and Russia, with every effort being made to design and manufacture a powerful
indigenous rocket by 2018.
Underscoring South Korea's potential, the KARI head claimed the country has
reached rough parity with space development leaders in rocket structure, solid
fuel, control and payload related systems, as well as inertial navigation and the
ability to make nose fairings that house satellites.
He added that the country has also been able to generate US$22 million from the
sale of photos taken from the Arirang-2 launched in 2006, and roughly $40 million
in overseas fees by local laboratories and companies who have taken part in the
construction of rockets and satellites.
"We are in the advanced stages of development for a 30-ton thrust rocket that
includes a combustion chamber for a liquid fuel rocket, turbo pumps that mix fuel
with oxidation agents, and an engineering model for the gas generator," he said.
He added that an actual-size model of the 30-ton engine has been built with
numerous tests conducted to check its capabilities.
"Based on the experience gained, work has started on a more powerful 75-ton
thrust rocket," Lee said.
He added that while space development technology does not produce immediate
results, it is a field that cannot be overlooked in order to maximize national
interests.
"The U.S. and Japan each spend 100 times and 10 times (respectively) more in this
sector every year than South Korea, with less affluent countries like China and
India also allocating large sums," he said.
The expert in satellite technology said aerospace-related development has become
the yardstick for measuring a country's advancements in science and technology.
For the future, Lee said that South Korea should focus more on building up basic
research capabilities and acquiring key technologies vital to cost saving and
enhancing competitiveness.
"Once the country gains more insight into building up its knowledge and
technology base, it can then start building launch vehicles and satellites that
meet the myriad demands made by both domestic and overseas users," he said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The successful launch of South Korea's first rocket will help the country gain "independence" in cutting edge space development technology, the head of a state aerospace institute said Tuesday.
Lee Joo-jin, president of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), said
that despite a 40-year late start, Seoul has made significant strides and the
launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) will be a turning point for
the country.
"From the country's first satellite placed in orbit, South Korea had to rely on
foreign rockets and space centers that made it impossible to schedule launches to
meet local requirements," he said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Such restrictions have increased costs and raised the risk of confidential
satellite technology falling into foreign hands, he stressed, adding that all
this has changed with the successful liftoff.
The inability of the country to make its own first-stage liquid-fueled rocket has
also been cited for the liftoff date being pushed back seven times since 2005.
The most recent delay, which took place last Wednesday, caused mission
controllers to call of the launch with less than eight minutes before ignition of
the rocket engine.
The official said that although South Korea has a long way to go in the
development of both rocket and satellite technology, it has the capability to
make inroads into the global satellite arena should it make concerted efforts to
expand its knowhow.
The market has been traditionally dominated by the United States, Russia, and
European countries, but China, Japan and India are all scrambling to catch up
with the leaders.
Lee said that Seoul's goal over the next 10 years is to raise the country's
satellite building potential to 90 percent of established leaders like the U.S.
and Russia, with every effort being made to design and manufacture a powerful
indigenous rocket by 2018.
Underscoring South Korea's potential, the KARI head claimed the country has
reached rough parity with space development leaders in rocket structure, solid
fuel, control and payload related systems, as well as inertial navigation and the
ability to make nose fairings that house satellites.
He added that the country has also been able to generate US$22 million from the
sale of photos taken from the Arirang-2 launched in 2006, and roughly $40 million
in overseas fees by local laboratories and companies who have taken part in the
construction of rockets and satellites.
"We are in the advanced stages of development for a 30-ton thrust rocket that
includes a combustion chamber for a liquid fuel rocket, turbo pumps that mix fuel
with oxidation agents, and an engineering model for the gas generator," he said.
He added that an actual-size model of the 30-ton engine has been built with
numerous tests conducted to check its capabilities.
"Based on the experience gained, work has started on a more powerful 75-ton
thrust rocket," Lee said.
He added that while space development technology does not produce immediate
results, it is a field that cannot be overlooked in order to maximize national
interests.
"The U.S. and Japan each spend 100 times and 10 times (respectively) more in this
sector every year than South Korea, with less affluent countries like China and
India also allocating large sums," he said.
The expert in satellite technology said aerospace-related development has become
the yardstick for measuring a country's advancements in science and technology.
For the future, Lee said that South Korea should focus more on building up basic
research capabilities and acquiring key technologies vital to cost saving and
enhancing competitiveness.
"Once the country gains more insight into building up its knowledge and
technology base, it can then start building launch vehicles and satellites that
meet the myriad demands made by both domestic and overseas users," he said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
