Rocket component transported to Naro Center

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that a newly-made Russian component of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, or the Naro rocket, arrived at its space center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province on Saturday.

Naro’s adaptor block, the helium supply system that gives the thrust during the liftoff, was found to be defective, causing Korea to cancel its scheduled rocket launch last month.

The block also led to defective rubber seals that held the helium during the injection into the first-stage liquid rocket built by Russia.

As the new block had been transported later than its initial schedule, officials said that it would have to push back its tentative launch dates to 23 and 30 of this month, from 9 and 24.

The ministry plans to hold a meeting this week to decide on its launch dates, as well as begin inspection of the adaptor block. 

By Park Hyung-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)