South Korea Friday rescheduled its first space rocket launch for Aug. 25 after a technical glitch halted the countdown minutes before blastoff.
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 liftoff will take place between 4:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. 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.
1 | Hotels grapple with chronic staff shortages |
![[INTERVIEW] 'Now is time for Koreans to unlock potential in Africa'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/9236a17d88ea472b862b237c9788069d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Meet the man behind giant rubber ducks that once took over Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df32c60c8204448e98ccdb9841366bec.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
