MOSCOW (Yonhap) --Russia plans to ship a main stage rocket for Korea's Naro-1 space vehicle before the end of August so it can be readied for its planned launch, a senior official said Friday.
In a meeting with Korean reporters in the Russian capital, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Lee Ju-ho said he had visited the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and was able to confirm that delivery of the rocket should take place in time for the October launch.
Khrunichev manufactured the liquid-fueled first-stage cryogenic rocket as part of a 2002 agreement to build a space vehicle that can carry satellites into space for Korea. Seoul built the smaller solid-fuel second stage rocket, also called the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1), as well as the scientific satellite.
"The rocket will be delivered in July or August so it can be readied for the blastoff," the official said.
Both Korea and Russia have examined in detail failed launches in 2009 and 2010 to ensure the third attempt succeeds.
Lee said efforts are also under way to place a low orbit satellite into space by 2021 using a Korean built KSLV-2 rocket.
It is important for Seoul to have its own rocket building technology, he said, and the current joint program with Moscow has provided important insight and knowledge of the high-tech field.
Lee said Korea's prowess in information technology and precision machinery areas gives it the capability to compete in the space launch vehicle sector.
He added he held talks with Russian officials so the planned launch of the Arirang 5 radar satellite can take place towards the end of 2012, but has not yet had a response. Russia's defense ministry has to give its final approval for launching the Korean rocket.
Meanwhile, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which is responsible for the country's rocket and satellite program, said it has decided to remove the self-destruct system on the second stage rocket that was cited by Russian investigators as the reason the 2010 launch blew up in mid-flight after it lifted off from the Naro Space Center off Korea's southern coast.