(Rocket Launch) (2nd LD) Software glitch halts rocket launch: official

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, comments in paras 7-13)
By Lee Joon-seung
NARO SPACE CENTER, South Korea, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- The blastoff of South Korea's
first rocket was suspended at the eleventh hour due to a minor glitch in its
automatic launch system, a government official said Thursday.
The Russian-built rocket carrying a homemade scientific satellite was scheduled
to lift off from the Naro Space Center about 485km south of Seoul at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, but the countdown stopped with about eight minutes remaining.
"Engineers found the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) had a problem in the
software sensor connected to the automatic launch sequence that checks
high-pressure tanks," Vice Science and Technology Minister Kim Jung-hyun said.
He added that there was no problem with the actual hardware related to the
high-pressure helium tanks designed to control various valves in the rocket and
that the sensors probably misinterpreted the data they received.
The official, however, said the 40 engineers of the joint South Korean-Russian
Flight Test Committee are currently examining the glitch to see what effects it
could have on the safety of the launch. The process can take 1-3 days, making it
effectively impossible to set another launch date for this week.
South Korea, which has no experience in building space rockets, has been working
with Russia to build the KSLV-1, also called the Naro-1.
On setting the new launch date, Kim said that every effort will be made to ensure
the launch takes place as soon as possible and hinted that the liftoff could take
place by Aug. 26, although there will need to be a review of all technical issues
and the weather.
"Seoul will not delay the launch in any way, but everything must be checked
thoroughly," he said.
Other government officials, meanwhile, said that the KSLV-1 has been disconnected
from the launch pad and is being moved back to the assembly plant to facilitate
the repair of the faulty software. The 130 tons of fuel and oxidation agent have
already been emptied.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which is in overall control of the
country's space program, said the move is necessary because all the power in the
rocket needs to be turned off for the software to be fixed.
"If the power is turned off, systems needed to keep the interior of the rocket
cool and in stable condition will go off line, which may cause mechanical
problems," said KARI president Lee Joo-jin.
He said that engineers can easily check and repair the glitch through small
maintenance doors and there will be no need to separate the first and second
stage rockets or the satellite. The rocket should reach the assembly complex from
the launch pad in about two or three hours.
Initially engineers said the rocket can remain on the launch pad without
seriously affecting the rocket's systems for five to six days if there is no
change in weather conditions.
Wednesday's delay marks the seventh time since 2005 that the launch date has been
set back due to technical issues and delays in building the launch facilities.
The KSLV-1 stands 33 meters tall with a diameter of 2.9 meters. Its main first
stage liquid-fuel rocket made in Russia can generate 170 tons of thrust. The
second stage rocket made indigenously can generate 8 tons of thrust and is
designed to place the satellite into proper orbit.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)