KLSV-1

South Korea’s indigenous KSLV-1 launcher lifted off from the Naro Space Centre on August 25, but failed to launch a scientific observation satellite into low Earth orbit.

A previous launch attempt several days earlier was halted when “abnormal data’ was observed during the automated launch sequence.

The launch had been postponed on five previous occasions: — the end of 2007, end of 2008, the second quarter of 2009 and July 30 and August 11, due to Russia’s refusal to transfer technology or problems in acquiring components.

The KSLV-1 launcher is a mix of Russian and local manufacture: Russia built the liquid fuelled first stage, whilst the second stage has been designed and manufactured in Korea.

Called KSLV-1 (Korea Space Launch Vehicle –1) the 33 metre tall launcher is the pride of the Korean space industry, arousing huge national interest and support.

The Russian made Angara first stage, can generate 170 tonnes of thrust, sufficient to propel the launcher to the edge of space, whilst the South Korean, Naro 1 second stage will generate 8 tonnes of thrust, allowing the launch vehicle to attain low earth orbit.

South Korea has developed a wide range of commercial satellites, including the multi-purpose satellites Arirang or the Mugunghwa. All of these satellites have been launched by American or Russian rockets. This was the first time a South Korea-developed rocket had been used to launch a satellite.

A South Korean official stated that ground stations had failed to contact the satellite, and that it was either in an unknown orbit, or loss

The “missing” STS2 100 kg satellite is a  non commercial scientific payload, fitted with cutting-edge meteorological research equipment using electronic frequencies to conduct tests on the earth’s atmosphere and gauge humidity levels in clouds and water vapor in the atmosphere.

South Korean and Russian scientists were reportedly studying launch data to try and determine the cause of the failure.

The payload was the first Korean satellite to carry laser reflecting mirrors, to accurately measure the distance between itself and the Earth. The equipment would have been used to forecast seismic activities.

Before the launch, officials knew the risk of failure was high. The Director of the Naro Space Centre, Min Kyung Ju is quoted as saying “ Initially the rocket will be moving relatively slowly making it hard to maintain stability as the main engine tries to push up the 140 tonnes  launch vehicle and satellite payload.

If there is a sudden gust of wind or any other slight problem in the stabilization mechanism, the rocket can tip over and be lost.”

Many rockets have been lost  during the first critical stages of ascent, including the US made Vanguard and Atlas, Europe’s Ariane 5, and several other launch vehicles from China and Russia were all lost within a minute of takeoff, according to the South Korean Technology Minister Lee Sang Mok.

Lee also said that the fairings that secure the satellite to the second stage rocket, were made in South Korea and had never been tested in flight.

The launcher cost US$415 million to develop, whilst the satellite cost 13.6 billion Won to build.

South Korean officials confirmed on August 27 that the second stage separation had been successful, but that the location of the satellite was not known. At that time the spacecraft was 342 Km above waters near Australia, instead of the 306 Km predicted trajectory.

The Naro Space Centre was specially constructed for this mission and is located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, about 300Km from Seoul.

A more detailed article on the Naro Space Centre appeared in May 2008 edition of Pacific Satellite News.