By Cho Mu-hyun
GOHEUNG, South Jeolla Province ― The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said Friday it was delaying the much anticipated launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1).
The rocket seemed ready to go after comprehensive checks and a dummy run the day before but the launch team found problems in the first stage of the rocket while pumping in helium that acts as a combustion pressurizer in the engine.
Personnel began preparations at 7 a.m. but at 10:01 a.m. they detected a possible leak in the helium containers as it failed to reach the designated pressure level. Russian engineers who designed and oversee the first stage of the rocket visually detected a broken seal from which the gas was leaking.
Cho Gwang-rae, who heads the launch team at KARI, said that it is unknown whether the problem was just the seal or if something else caused the malfunction.
“We have found problems in the first stage of the launch vehicle, and so must delay the launch,” said Cho Yul-lae, vice minister of education, science and technology, at an emergency briefing at 11:05 a.m. “We will inform you of the cause of the problem after a detailed inspection. It will take at least three days before the launch can be attempted.”
As the problem can’t be addressed while the rocket is locked on the launch pad, it has been moved to the assembly complex at the request of the Russians where they will determine the precise cause of the seal leak.
KARI President Kim Seoung-jo, said standard procedure in such situations requires a two day review before setting another date, plus a day for the rocket to be removed from the launch pad.
He also added that the problem was not detected during checks as filling the pressurized fuel tanks was not done.
KARI officials said they will apply for a new launch window to international aviation organizations if the delay is longer than two weeks.
Lee Ju-ho, minister of education, science and technology, visited the briefing room after the news around 2:30 p.m. and shook hands with all reporters present but made no comment and hastily left the premises.
According to KARI, Lee met with Vladimir Popovkin, administrator of the Russia Federal Space Agency, and talked over the delay and agreed that they must calmly prepare again.
The first launch back in August 2009 also postponed its first set date by one day due to problems discovered in the first stage, but Kim said this reason was completely different.
“Back then it was the problem with the sensors. This time it is the LOX and helium seal, and the problem is within the vehicle.”
Under a contract with Russia, KARI is responsible for the construction and design of the second stage and payload, while its partner is in charge of the first stage. Koreans will therefore have no access to the engine at the assembly complex and will receive reports from the Russians.
“It was the Russians that told us of the damaged seal and they will inform us of the problem after an inspection,” Kim said, adding he did not know if the seal can be fixed or a new one needed to be ordered.
The delay comes at a frustrating time for the government and KARI as it is under pressure for a successful launch after two previous failures, which together will rack up a bill of over 500 billion won.
The KSLV-1 weighs 140 tons and is 33 meters long. If its launch is a success, it will release a domestically made 100 kilogram satellite, the Science and Technology Satellite No.2-C (STSAT-2C), an upgraded version from the payload of the second launch.
The government has vowed to continue bigger-budgeted space projects regardless of the success of the latest launch. A more expensive KSLV-2 is planned for a tentative take off in 2021 at a cost of over 1.5 trillion won.