Science Ministry considers to reschedule space launch vehicle test

[THE INVESTOR] The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said July 1 that it is currently consult with experts for the possible rescheduling of the test launch of a 200-ton space vehicle, Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II.

The announcement comes after local new outlets reported that the the test launch of the vehicle has been delayed by 10 months and the official launch in 2020 has been consequently postponed.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, a state-run space agency, is scheduled to have the test launch of the 200-ton launch vehicle in December 2017 before the official launch.

The vehicle will carry a 1.5-ton satellite on its top.

Releasing a press release on July 1, the Science Ministry said, “Nothing has been decided regarding the schedule postponement of the test firing.”

“Technical issues including incomplete combustion and some glitches related to the production of propellant tanks have all been solved,” the ministry said.

Experts and officials from the relevant agencies are currently having consultations on the specific schedule and plan on the development of the propellant of domestic space rockets, according to the ministry.

The KARI is said to have reported to the government’s committee for space development that the test launch had to be delayed due to an incomplete combustion issue in the 75-ton engine and difficulty in welding the fuel tanks.

The three-stage launch vehicle is powered by three engines -- a 75-ton engine for the stage one, and two 7-ton engines for the stage two and three, all of which run on liquid fuel.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)