(Rocket Launch) (LEAD) S. Korea reschedules first rocket launch for Aug. 25

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By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has rescheduled its first space rocket
launch from its own territory for Aug. 25 after a technical glitch halted the
countdown minutes before blastoff, the government said Friday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the new date reflects
weather conditions and time needed to prepare the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1
(KSLV-1) and its scientific satellite for a safe launch.
The blastoff will take place between 4:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m (Seoul Time) to allow
the satellite to deploy its solar panels and generate a sufficient amount of
energy.
The liftoff was originally set for 5 p.m. Wednesday but was called off after the
automatic launch sequence detected a drop in pressure inside a helium tank that
controls various valves less than 8 minutes before launch. Experts have since
said that there were no mechanical problems in the rocket and that the countdown
was halted because sensor software misinterpreted data.
Wednesday's delay marks the seventh time since 2005 that the launch date has been
set back due to technical issues and other unforeseen developments in the
building of the launch facilities.
The KSLV-1, also called the Naro-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 eight
tons of thrust and is designed to place the satellite into proper orbit.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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