(Rocket Launch) S. Korea to conduct last-minute check on first space rocket

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea was to move forward with a final
"rehearsal" in preparation for the launch of its first space rocket this week,
the government said Monday.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said a comprehensive check on
the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) will be carried out throughout the day
so engineers can examine all mechanical, fire control and electronics systems.
The launch time has tentatively been set at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The rocket was moved from the assembly building on Sunday after the debugging of
a faulty software system that caused the launch to be put off last week. It has
been erected on the launch pad and connected to various electrical and hydraulic
cables.
The liftoff of the KSLV-1, also called the Naro-1, has been delayed a total of
seven times since 2005, with the last postponement taking place last Wednesday
with just under eight minutes remaining on the countdown clock.
"Everything related to the launch will be fully simulated with the exception of
the fuel and oxidation agents that are to be injected two hours before launch,"
said a government official.
He said, however, that there is no guarantee that the blastoff may not be again
delayed if a problem is found at the last minute.
"There is always a chance that things may occur that cannot be anticipated when
the rocket is being prepared for launch," the official said, pointing out that
the countdown of India's GSLV was stopped with just a second left on the
countdown clock, while the launch of Japan's H2A in Sept. 27, 2003 was stopped in
the last minute.
Depending on the outcome of the tests and weather conditions, an exact time for
the launch should be set before the liftoff on Tuesday.
The Naro-1 stands 33m tall with a diameter of 2.9m. Its main first stage
liquid-fuel rocket, made in Russia, can generate 170t of thrust. The second stage
rocket, made in South Korea, can generate 8t of thrust and is designed to place a
satellite into orbit.
Mission controllers, meanwhile, said that security has been tightened around the
Naro Space Center, located 485km south of Seoul. Navy and Coast Guard ships are
keeping watch on all maritime traffic, and plans are in place to divert all
commercial airline traffic near the time of the launch.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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