South Korea’s first home-made space rocket exploded on Thursday but failed to fully put a dummy satellite into orbit, providing mixed results for a test launch that could be a major boost to the country’s ambitious space plans. Represents leap. The three-stage KSLV-II Nuri rocket, emblazoned with the national flag, lifted off on a pillar of flame from its launch pad at the Naro Space Center at 5 pm (0800 GMT). The Nuri, or “world”, rocket is designed to place a 1.5-ton payload into an orbit 600 to 800 km (370 to 500 mi) above Earth, as part of a broader space effort that includes surveillance, Envisages the launch of satellites for navigation. And communications, and even lunar probes.
President Moon Jae-in, who watched the launch from the space station, said the rocket completed its flight sequence but failed to put the test payload into orbit.
“Unfortunately, we have not fully reached our goal,” he said in a speech on the site.
Moon praised the workers and said the project would go ahead despite the unfinished mission.
“It won’t be long before we will be able to launch it into a target trajectory,” he said, according to a transcript. “Korea Space Age” is coming.
Officials said the rocket’s final stage appeared to have stalled 40-50 seconds earlier, so the payload did not reach the required speed for its target orbit. Officials said the reason for the initial shutoff is still being investigated, but it could be a lack of pressure inside the fuel tank, premature commands from the control computer or other factors.
“Today’s launch left some disappointment, but it is significant because it was the first test of an independently developed launch vehicle with our own technology,” Science and Technology Minister Lim Hee-sook said at a briefing. “It is worthwhile to confirm that all major launch steps have been taken and that we have acquired the core technology.”
After the briefing ended, an apparently emotional official leaned in and said: “Please support us to make the launch a success in May next year.”
Under the supervision of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the 200-ton rocket was carried to its launch pad on Wednesday and lifted into position next to a giant green support structure located on the launch pad on rocks falling into the sea.
The rocket’s three stages were powered by a liquid-fuel booster built by an affiliate of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, with four 75-ton boosters in the first stage, 75-ton boosters in the second, and a single 7-ton cluster . Rocket engine in the final stage.
Qari said the rocket regularly plans to conduct five more test launches before carrying the actual payload.
The next test is currently scheduled for May 19.
Space launches have long been a sensitive issue in the Korean peninsula, where North Korea faces sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile program.
South Korea’s plan calls for the launch of a series of military satellites in the future, but officials deny that NURI has any use as a weapon.
The country’s last such rocket, which was launched in 2013 after delayed and unsuccessful tests, was jointly developed with Russia.
Officials told Reuters that having its own launch vehicle would allow South Korea to determine payload types and launch schedules and benefit South Korean companies.
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