ID :
76982
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 11:30
Auther :

(News Focus) Successful rocket launch shows S. Korea's space potential

By Lee Joon-seung

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The successful launch of South Korea's first rocket carrying a satellite highlights the country's potential to become a global player in the space development sector, local experts said Tuesday.

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) blasted off from the Naro Space Center
485km south of Seoul Tuesday, marking the fourth time in history that a country
has launched a locally assembled rocket carrying a satellite into orbit from its
own soil on the first try.
Only Russia, which sent Sputnik in 1957, along with France and Israel, have made
it on the first attempt, with countries like the United States, Britain, Japan,
China and India having failed.
The 33m-long rocket weighing 140t was launched after the blastoff date was
rescheduled six times, mainly due to development delays in the first stage,
Russian-made rocket and problems in building various launch facilities.
"Although the first stage rocket was made in Russia, local engineers have gained
valuable know-how through joint efforts that should help build a truly indigenous
space vehicle," said Park Jeong-joo, head of the KSLV systems office of the Korea
Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
South Korea designed and built the second stage rocket and the scientific
satellite, constructed the launch pad after modifying the basic design provided
by Russia, and took part in the overall systems integration process.
"When the project was started in 2002, countries like the United States and Japan
were unwilling to help, with only Russia showing interest, because they needed
funding for their Angara rocket family development project," the engineer
stressed.
He said the project was designed to reduce trial and error and give local
engineers first hand experience, speeding up development of indigenous technology
and reducing overall costs.
He said that while the country spent 502.5 billion won (US$402.4 million) on the
project, with KARI employing a few hundred engineers, the sum and personnel
resources allocated to the project are nothing compared to what other countries
have put into their space programs.
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is estimated to have spent
$135 billion to build the Saturn 5 rockets for its Apollo lunar landing project
and worked with 20,000 laboratories and companies at one time. Russia's
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the overall coordinator of
the first stage KSLV-1 rocket and NPO Energomash, the engine developer, have tens
of thousands of workers on their payrolls.
The expert claimed that even the sudden postponement of last week's blastoff with
less than eight minutes remaining in the countdown clock was beneficial, since it
gave local controllers a chance to deal with an unexpected situation. South
Korean and Russian experts said the launch was aborted due to a minor software
glitch that was repaired last week.
Park pointed out that countries do not share rocket technologies or management
knowhow, and the only way for a late starter like South Korea to learn is through
a partnership arrangement allowing firsthand experience of the entire process.
Other experts said that while Russia has not provided technology for its space
rockets, close cooperation has indirectly helped local engineers to move forward
with a local liquid-fueled engine.
Chae Yeon-seok, former KARI president and vice president of Young Astronauts
Korea, said the country has effectively acquired most of the technology needed to
build its own rocket.
He claimed that a 30t thrust engine is almost complete, while preliminary studies
are underway for a 75t thrust machine.
"South Korea has the ability to make critical components like the inertial
navigation system, electronic hardware, systems integration capabilities, fuel
and oxidation and ability to design most parts with the exception of a powerful
rocket engine," he said.
He said if enough funds are made available, the country may be able to send up a
locally built KSLV-2 rocket that can carry a 1.5t payload by 2018.
Local aerospace experts, meanwhile, stressed that becoming independent in space
development can lead to considerable advantages and provide spin-offs in the
cutting-edge technology areas that can help local companies down the road.
South Korea has relied on textiles, machinery, electronics, semiconductors and
information technology to generate growth, but in the future it must make use of
aerospace.
Industry sources said companies like Doowon Heavy Industries Co. have learned
special welding skills that have extensive commercial applications, while Top
Engineering Co., Kospace and EO System Co. have developed data processing,
precision optics and various microwave technologies.
It is difficult to determine the exact benefits, but the state-run Korea
Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade the KSLV-1 launch could contribute
up to 2.3 trillion won in additional growth for the national economy. This covers
the construction sector, job creation and positive publicity that can help
exports, it said.
Seoul, in addition, can save money by building and launching its own satellites,
as well as enhance its defense capabilities by sending intelligence satellites.
South Korea has sent a total of 10 satellites into orbit so far, all using
foreign rockets and launched from abroad, and will have to launch an average of
one satellite every year in the next several years to replace those that have
completed their missions.
The most recent satellite, the Arirang 2 multipurpose satellite, cost 263.3
billion won to make. The total could have been less if South Korea possessed the
technology to launch its own rockets.
Another area where the country can benefit from independent launch capability
will be in the global satellite launch business sector.
"South Korea does not have immediate plans to launch rockets for foreign
countries, but it can become an option down the road through closer cooperative
ties in the launching of rockets," an official at the Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology said.
There were 109 satellites launched into orbit in 2006, which is a 45 percent
on-year gain from the year before. Of these Russia, launched a total of 44,
followed by the United States and Europe at 32 and 11 launches, respectively.
A successful launch can also spur allocation of more funds to build the country's
aerospace technological base.
Under the 2007-2016 space development basic plan, the government plans to inject
3.6 trillion won into building satellites, rockets and research and development.
The total does not include potential private sector investment.
yonngong@yna.co.kr

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