KSLV-1 - STSAT-2C Launch Updates
South Korea establishes Contact with STSAT-2C Satellite
|
February 2, 2013
|
|
The STSAT-2C Satellite launched by a South Korean KSLV-1 rocket on Wednesday has established communications with ground stations in South Korea, confirming that the satellite is alive and operating following orbital insertion which marked the first successful orbital launch conducted by South Korea.
Orbital tracking data provided orbital parameters of STSAT-2C: 297 by 1,512 Kilometers, Inclination 80.28 degrees. These parameters are showing that orbital insertion was very accurate in terms of altitude and slightly off on inclination. The target orbit was 300 by 1,500 Kilometers at an inclination of 80 degrees. Following launch, the satellite began on-orbit operations and made its first communications pass over the South Korean ground station 11 hours after liftoff, at 3:27am local time on Thursday, the Yonhap News Agency reported. Communications with the spacecraft were established as planned, confirming that the satellite was alive and functioning in orbit. STSAT-2C is the third of the second generation of STSATs. The full name of the spacecraft is Science and Technology Satellite 2C. The satellite weighs 100 Kilograms and is 1 x 1 x 1.5 meters in size. It is likely a modified version of the previously flown STSAT-2B that included a payload suite consisting of a Dual-Channel Radiometer for Atmosphere Monitoring, a Laser Retroreflector Array for Satellite Laser Ranging experiments and a series of technology demonstration payloads such as attitude control systems, pulsed plasma thrusters, star trackers and a sun sensor. The satellite is planned to operate for two years. Photo: Time-Lapse image of the KSLV Launch showing the rocket's pitch maneuver. |
Photo Credit: Yonhap News Agency
|
South Korea achieves first successful Orbital Launch
|
January 30, 2013
|
Credit: KBS 24
Credit: MBN
|
Following two failed launches in 2009 and 2010 and months of delays for its third flight, the South Korean Space Launch Vehicle 1 made its first successful flight to Low Earth Orbit on Wednesday, deploying the STSAT-2C satellite. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) confirmed that the flight was successful, marking the first successful orbital launch conducted by South Korea, joining an elite club of 13 nations that are capable of launching rockets into orbit.
Wednesday’s launch came after an uneventful countdown sequence that was started on Monday when the rocket was rolled out to its launch pad at the Naro Space Center that is located on Naro Island in Goheung, 485 Kilometers south of Seoul. As the countdown progressed, the launch vehicle underwent extensive tests and checkouts before being loaded with propellants and going through final pre-launch reconfigurations. 15 Minutes ahead of launch, the automated countdown sequence got underway to put the launcher in its final configuration for liftoff. Liftoff occurred on time at 7:00 UTC, five minutes into the day’s launch window. Shortly after liftoff, the vehicle conducted its pitch maneuver to align itself with its precise ascent trajectory to reach its target orbit, flying South to reach an inclination of 80 degrees. Being powered by a single RD-151 engine, the KSLV launcher climbed uphill until T+3 minutes and 35 seconds when Payload Fairing Separation occurred. 13 seconds thereafter, the first stage engine shut down and the stage separated from the stack that began a short coast to climb up to the apogee altitude of the sub-orbital trajectory that was achieved by the first stage. After 163 seconds of coasting, the second stage of the KSLV launcher which is solid-fueled, ignited to give the stack a final boost into orbit. Footage seen from the control center has shown a real-time animation of the second stage burn followed by spacecraft separation at T+9 minutes, completing a successful flight of the KSLV launcher. |
The flight targeted a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit with an inclination of 80 degrees. How close the actual values are to the prediction will be shown by orbital elements issued by US Space Surveillance over the coming hours. With solid-fueled upper stages, the injection error can be relatively large.
KSLV is South Korea’s first Orbital Launch Vehicle that is built by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Russia. The rocket is based on the Universal Rocket Module that is built by Khrunichev and a KSR second stage built by KARI. At Liftoff, the rocket weighs 140,000 Kilograms standing 33 meters tall with a diameter of 2.9 meters.
The Universal Rocket Module is part of the Russian Angara rocket that is currently being developed. Angara, a heavy lift launch vehicle capable of lifting up to 40,500 Kilograms into Low Earth Orbit, is based on a modular design and would fly with 1, 3, 5 or 7 URMs as first stage. KSLV on the other hand, is a light-weight launcher, and only uses a single, down-powered URM as its first stage. The first stage is 2.9 meters in diameter, 25.1 meters long and has an empty weight of about 10,000kg. At liftoff it holds more than 120,000kg of propellants, Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene.
The Angara URM uses an RD-191 engine with a Sea Level thrust of 1,920 Kilonewtons, whereas the KSLV is equipped with an RD-151 engine that is a down-powered version of the RD-191 with a reduced thrust of 1,670kN. It has a specific impulse of 338 seconds. The first stage burns 240 seconds.
The second stage that is a development of KARI, is a KSR-1 Solid Rocket Motor that is also used on South Korean Sounding Rockets. It provides a thrust of 86.2 Kilonewtons and burns for about 25 seconds, burning through about 1,000kg of solid propellant.
KSLV is South Korea’s first Orbital Launch Vehicle that is built by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Russia. The rocket is based on the Universal Rocket Module that is built by Khrunichev and a KSR second stage built by KARI. At Liftoff, the rocket weighs 140,000 Kilograms standing 33 meters tall with a diameter of 2.9 meters.
The Universal Rocket Module is part of the Russian Angara rocket that is currently being developed. Angara, a heavy lift launch vehicle capable of lifting up to 40,500 Kilograms into Low Earth Orbit, is based on a modular design and would fly with 1, 3, 5 or 7 URMs as first stage. KSLV on the other hand, is a light-weight launcher, and only uses a single, down-powered URM as its first stage. The first stage is 2.9 meters in diameter, 25.1 meters long and has an empty weight of about 10,000kg. At liftoff it holds more than 120,000kg of propellants, Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene.
The Angara URM uses an RD-191 engine with a Sea Level thrust of 1,920 Kilonewtons, whereas the KSLV is equipped with an RD-151 engine that is a down-powered version of the RD-191 with a reduced thrust of 1,670kN. It has a specific impulse of 338 seconds. The first stage burns 240 seconds.
The second stage that is a development of KARI, is a KSR-1 Solid Rocket Motor that is also used on South Korean Sounding Rockets. It provides a thrust of 86.2 Kilonewtons and burns for about 25 seconds, burning through about 1,000kg of solid propellant.
|
KSLV can lift a 100-Kilogram Payload to a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit.
The payload for this flight is STSAT-2C – the third of the second generation of STSATs. The full name of the spacecraft is Science and Technology Satellite 2C. The satellite weighs 100 Kilograms and is 1 x 1 x 1.5 meters in size. It is likely a modified version of the previously flown STSAT-2B that included a payload suite consisting of a Dual-Channel Radiometer for Atmosphere Monitoring, a Laser Retroreflector Array for Satellite Laser Ranging experiments and a series of technology demonstration payloads such as attitude control systems, pulsed plasma thrusters, star trackers and a sun sensor. The satellite is planned to operate for two years. Whether the satellite is alive and operating will be revealed during the first planned communications pass of the spacecraft over Korean ground stations about 13 hours after launch. |
Photo: Yonhap News Agency
|
KSLV Rocket back on the Launch Pad for Liftoff on Wednesday |
January 29, 2013 |
|
South Korea's KSLV-1 launch vehicle is at the launch pad again for its next launch attempt that is planned for Wednesday. The launch window stretches from 6:55 to 10:30 UTC. Countdown operations were started after the launcher was rolled to the launch complex on Monday.
A final launch dress rehearsal was performed to put the vehicle through a simulated countdown and ascent sequence and check all systems. Data that was acquired during the test is being analyzed ahead of launch. With Countdown Operations in full swing, teams are making final close-outs of the Launch Complex before a final Launch Readiness Review is conducted at T-6 hours and 30 minutes. During the review, teams will review all systems of the rocket, STSAT-2C and all ground support systems. At T-3 hours, teams will review weather conditions and decide whether to press into propellant loading and attempt a launch on Thursday. Fueling of the Rocket’s first stage with Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene begins at T-2 hours as the vehicle goes through more systems tests and reconfigurations. The second stage uses solid fuel that has already been loaded. The automated Countdown Sequence is started at T-15 Minutes putting the vehicle through its final steps placing it in its launch configuration. Blastoff can occur at any point in the nearly three-hour launch window. After lifting off, the KSLV is powered by its RD-151 Engine on the first stage that burns for 3 minutes and 49 seconds. During first stage flight, the KSLV launcher jettisons its Payload Fairing, an event that went wrong on the first flight of the rocket back in 2009. After first stage shutdown and stage separation three seconds later, the vehicle coasts uphill before igniting the second stage 6 minutes and 35 seconds into the mission. The second stage is manufactured by KARI and was the cause of the second launch failure of KSLV in 2010. Second stage burn time is just under 58 seconds. Nine Minutes after liftoff, the STSAT-2C satellite is planned to be released in a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit, but for that, both stages, the liquid-fueled first stage built by Russian Space Manufacturer Khrunichev, and the second stage, built by KARI, have to work perfectly and the Payload Fairing has to separate properly – objectives that were not fulfilled on the first two missions of the KSLV launcher. Should the satellite reach its target orbit, it would go through a pre-programmed sequence, starting one hour after launch with the initiation of three-axis-control. About 140 minutes after blastoff, STSAT-2C is planned to transmit its first beacon signals and about 13 hours after launch, the satellite would make first contact with a ground station at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. |
Photo: Khrunichev
Ascent Timeline
|
South Korea readies KSLV Rocket for next Launch Attempt
|
January 18, 2013
|
South Korean Space Officials have announced that they are ready to make another attempt to launch their KSLV-1 rocket after lengthy technical delays. After all technical issues were solved and associated reviews were completed, the South Korean Launch Preparation Committee has decided to make a launch attempt during a 10-day window opening on January 30, 2013. The exact launch date will be determined later, based on weather conditions and other constraints.
The launch was postponed in October 2012 when a faulty seal in the propellant system of the launch vehicle was found. Another delay came on November 29, when the launch countdown was stopped just minutes from entering the automated sequence due to a troublesome hydraulic motor. After being rolled back to its integration facility, the Naro rocket underwent repairs and extensive checkouts to get ready for its next launch attempt.
The daily launch window stretches from 6:55 to 10:30 UTC.
The launch was postponed in October 2012 when a faulty seal in the propellant system of the launch vehicle was found. Another delay came on November 29, when the launch countdown was stopped just minutes from entering the automated sequence due to a troublesome hydraulic motor. After being rolled back to its integration facility, the Naro rocket underwent repairs and extensive checkouts to get ready for its next launch attempt.
The daily launch window stretches from 6:55 to 10:30 UTC.
KSLV Rocket Launch out of South Korea slips into 2013
|
December 11, 2012
|
The launch of a South Korean KSLV Rocket is going to slip into next year as teams continue to troubleshoot technical issues with their launch vehicle that had already suffered a number of launch delays.
The most recent delay came on November 29 when technicians detected a problem with second stage's Thrust Vector Control System just minutes before the automated countdown sequence would have started. Subsequently, the launcher was rolled back to the Integration Facility for inspections and repairs.
Inspections revealed that repairs would take more than a month. Additionally, personnel requirements had to be taken into account as Russian support personnel from the first stage’s manufacturer Khrunichev could not stay at the launch site for the remainder of December. South Korean Officials also noted that they did not want to push ahead unreasonably, sticking to their careful approach, proceeding through repairs thoroughly to make sure the vehicle will be ready for launch when a new date is selected.
Engineers are currently in the process of repairing the second stage, removing and replacing a whole number of components, not only those that failed to make sure all faults are removed for the next launch attempt. The Rocket stage was manufactured back in 2008 and some components have a five-year shelf life before they are no-longer certified for flight.
Currently, no new launch date has been chosen, but teams are looking at a next launch attempt in January 2013.
The most recent delay came on November 29 when technicians detected a problem with second stage's Thrust Vector Control System just minutes before the automated countdown sequence would have started. Subsequently, the launcher was rolled back to the Integration Facility for inspections and repairs.
Inspections revealed that repairs would take more than a month. Additionally, personnel requirements had to be taken into account as Russian support personnel from the first stage’s manufacturer Khrunichev could not stay at the launch site for the remainder of December. South Korean Officials also noted that they did not want to push ahead unreasonably, sticking to their careful approach, proceeding through repairs thoroughly to make sure the vehicle will be ready for launch when a new date is selected.
Engineers are currently in the process of repairing the second stage, removing and replacing a whole number of components, not only those that failed to make sure all faults are removed for the next launch attempt. The Rocket stage was manufactured back in 2008 and some components have a five-year shelf life before they are no-longer certified for flight.
Currently, no new launch date has been chosen, but teams are looking at a next launch attempt in January 2013.
South Korean Rocket suffers another Launch Scrub
|
November 29, 2012
|
The second launch attempt of a South Korean KSLV Launcher was scrubbed on Thursday when problems with the launch vehicle were detected during the countdown.
Final launch preparations were nominal and teams approved the rocket for fueling as all systems and weather conditions were ready for Liftoff. Propellant Loading started as planned at the T-2-hour mark and no problems were reported during fueling. The final round of vehicle testing kicked off late in the countdown. At about T-17 minutes, Countdown Clocks were stopped – just two minutes ahead of the automated countdown sequence – as teams found problems related to the vehicle’s second stage. While the countdown was in progress, a sudden change in current was observed on the second stage's Thrust Vector Control System - pointing to a short circuit. De-tanking was started and teams are beginning assessments of the issue. When the next launch attempt will be made has not been announced.
The KSLV Rocket will be rolled back to the Launcher Integration Facility for analysis of the failure and replacement of failed components.
The current window is open until December 5, according to South Korean sources. Initial reports on the duration of the Launch Delay were conflicting, but the delay will be at least for days that are needed to transport the vehicle to the Integration Facility and back.
Final launch preparations were nominal and teams approved the rocket for fueling as all systems and weather conditions were ready for Liftoff. Propellant Loading started as planned at the T-2-hour mark and no problems were reported during fueling. The final round of vehicle testing kicked off late in the countdown. At about T-17 minutes, Countdown Clocks were stopped – just two minutes ahead of the automated countdown sequence – as teams found problems related to the vehicle’s second stage. While the countdown was in progress, a sudden change in current was observed on the second stage's Thrust Vector Control System - pointing to a short circuit. De-tanking was started and teams are beginning assessments of the issue. When the next launch attempt will be made has not been announced.
The KSLV Rocket will be rolled back to the Launcher Integration Facility for analysis of the failure and replacement of failed components.
The current window is open until December 5, according to South Korean sources. Initial reports on the duration of the Launch Delay were conflicting, but the delay will be at least for days that are needed to transport the vehicle to the Integration Facility and back.
KSLV ready for Launch from South Korea on Thursday
|
November 28, 2012
|
The KSLV-1 Launcher carrying the STSAT-2C Satellite is ready for launch on Thursday between 7:00 UTC and 9:55 UTC. The South Korean Launcher was rolled to its launch pad at the Naro Space Center on Tuesday and completed its final Launch Countdown Dress Rehearsal and a final Ascent Simulation on Wednesday.
No problems with the launcher and its payload were reported on Wednesday. “We believe that the Naro is in its best condition for take-off,” said Hong Il-hee, Head of the KSLV Program Office at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, KARI.
With Countdown Operations in full swing, teams are making final close-outs of the Launch Complex before a final Launch Readiness Review is conducted at T-6 hours and 30 minutes. During the review, teams will review all systems of the rocket, STSAT-2C and all ground support systems. At T-3 hours, teams will review weather conditions and decide whether to press into propellant loading and attempt a launch on Thursday. Fueling of the Rocket’s first stage with Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene begins at T-2 hours as the vehicle goes through more systems tests and reconfigurations. The second stage uses solid fuel that has already been loaded.
The automated Countdown Sequence is started at T-15 Minutes putting the vehicle through its final steps placing it in its launch configuration. Blastoff can occur at any point in the nearly three-hour launch window.
After lifting off, the KSLV is powered by its RD-151 Engine on the first stage that burns for 3 minutes and 49 seconds. During first stage flight, the KSLV launcher jettisons its Payload Fairing, an event that went wrong on the first flight of the rocket back in 2009. After first stage shutdown and stage separation three seconds later, the vehicle coasts uphill before igniting the second stage 6 minutes and 35 seconds into the mission. The second stage is manufactured by KARI and was the cause of the second launch failure of KSLV in 2010. Second stage burn time is just under 58 seconds.
Nine Minutes after liftoff, the STSAT-2C satellite is planned to be released in a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit, but for that, both stages, the liquid-fueled first stage built by Russian Space Manufacturer Khrunichev, and the second stage, built by KARI, have to work perfectly and the Payload Fairing has to separate properly – objectives that were not fulfilled on the first two missions of the KSLV launcher.
Should the satellite reach its target orbit, it would go through a pre-programmed sequence, starting one hour after launch with the initiation of three-axis-control. About 140 minutes after blastoff, STSAT-2C is planned to transmit its first beacon signals and about 13 hours after launch, the satellite would make first contact with a ground station at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
No problems with the launcher and its payload were reported on Wednesday. “We believe that the Naro is in its best condition for take-off,” said Hong Il-hee, Head of the KSLV Program Office at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, KARI.
With Countdown Operations in full swing, teams are making final close-outs of the Launch Complex before a final Launch Readiness Review is conducted at T-6 hours and 30 minutes. During the review, teams will review all systems of the rocket, STSAT-2C and all ground support systems. At T-3 hours, teams will review weather conditions and decide whether to press into propellant loading and attempt a launch on Thursday. Fueling of the Rocket’s first stage with Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene begins at T-2 hours as the vehicle goes through more systems tests and reconfigurations. The second stage uses solid fuel that has already been loaded.
The automated Countdown Sequence is started at T-15 Minutes putting the vehicle through its final steps placing it in its launch configuration. Blastoff can occur at any point in the nearly three-hour launch window.
After lifting off, the KSLV is powered by its RD-151 Engine on the first stage that burns for 3 minutes and 49 seconds. During first stage flight, the KSLV launcher jettisons its Payload Fairing, an event that went wrong on the first flight of the rocket back in 2009. After first stage shutdown and stage separation three seconds later, the vehicle coasts uphill before igniting the second stage 6 minutes and 35 seconds into the mission. The second stage is manufactured by KARI and was the cause of the second launch failure of KSLV in 2010. Second stage burn time is just under 58 seconds.
Nine Minutes after liftoff, the STSAT-2C satellite is planned to be released in a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit, but for that, both stages, the liquid-fueled first stage built by Russian Space Manufacturer Khrunichev, and the second stage, built by KARI, have to work perfectly and the Payload Fairing has to separate properly – objectives that were not fulfilled on the first two missions of the KSLV launcher.
Should the satellite reach its target orbit, it would go through a pre-programmed sequence, starting one hour after launch with the initiation of three-axis-control. About 140 minutes after blastoff, STSAT-2C is planned to transmit its first beacon signals and about 13 hours after launch, the satellite would make first contact with a ground station at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
South Korean KSLV Rocket ready for next Launch Attempt |
November 24, 2012 |
After last month's scrub and weeks of delays, South Korea's third KSLV Launcher is approaching Launch Week again after repairs on the vehicle's first stage were completed.
During the first launch countdown, a problem with an interface that is part of the first stage propellant system was found when the system did not hold helium pressure during the nominal pre-launch purge of the system.
During the first launch countdown, a problem with an interface that is part of the first stage propellant system was found when the system did not hold helium pressure during the nominal pre-launch purge of the system.
|
After rolling the vehicle back to the integration facility and accessing the system, the problem was found to be more severe, requiring a spare part to be shipped from the first stage's manufacturer Khrunichev, based in Russia.
The replacement parts arrived in mid-November and teams started to perform required work to replace the component and test the system to verify the performance of the system. "When considering the time needed to thoroughly examine the new part and prepare for a launch, Nov. 29 is technically the most suitable for a third launch of the Naro rocket," a Ministry of Education, Science and Technology press release noted. The November 29 launch date has been confirmed and backup slots are available through December 2. The daily window stretches from 7 UTC to 9:55 UTC - the rocket can launch at any point in the window. |
Photo: Khrunichev
|
South Korean KSLV Rocket facing additional Launch Delay
|
November 5, 2012
|
The launch of a South Korean KSLV-1 Rocket has been delayed further after engineers completed initial assessments which revealed that the problem that scrubbed the vehicle’s launch attempt on October 26 is more serious.
After the launch was scrubbed on October 26, the launch vehicle was rolled back to the Launcher Integration Facility to allow technicians to assess a damaged rubber seal in a Ground Support Equipment Connection Interface. The leak was detected during the launch countdown when the propellant subsystem of the first stage of the vehicle was not holding pressure during the Helium Purge. Initially, teams believed that the problem could be fixed by replacing the seal and performing testing of the vehicle.
Khrunichev, the manufacturer of the first stage of the rocket, performed testing of the launcher to determine the root cause of the problem.
After the launch was scrubbed on October 26, the launch vehicle was rolled back to the Launcher Integration Facility to allow technicians to assess a damaged rubber seal in a Ground Support Equipment Connection Interface. The leak was detected during the launch countdown when the propellant subsystem of the first stage of the vehicle was not holding pressure during the Helium Purge. Initially, teams believed that the problem could be fixed by replacing the seal and performing testing of the vehicle.
Khrunichev, the manufacturer of the first stage of the rocket, performed testing of the launcher to determine the root cause of the problem.
A gap between the rubber seal and steel interface of the system was discovered and during another pressure test, the vehicle was still losing Helium. After the steel components of the interface were replaced, the issue was no longer present. Testing of the vehicle and additional evaluations will be performed to make sure the problem is understood before allowing another launch attempt to take place.
The next launch date will be announced after required work is complete. A launch window from November 9 through 24 is available to the team. Whether the launch is still targeted for that window is not clear at this time.
The next launch date will be announced after required work is complete. A launch window from November 9 through 24 is available to the team. Whether the launch is still targeted for that window is not clear at this time.
South Korean Rocket Launch scrubbed due to technical Problems
|
October 26, 2012
|
|
Friday’s Launch Attempt of a South Korean KSLV Launcher carrying the STSAT-2C Spacecraft was scrubbed due to technical problems that emerged during the Launch Countdown.
The Launch Vehicle had been approved for launch yesterday, but during countdown operations, a problem with the Launch Pad Ground Support Equipment Interface with the launcher was found. "A leak has been detected from a connection between the first-stage rocket of the KSLV-1 and the launch pad," Cho Yul-rae, South Korean Vice Minister of education, science and technology told the press. During the nominal Helium purge of the system, it was found that the propellant subsystem was not holding pressure. A visual inspection revealed that a seal had become detached. As a consequence, the launch attempt was scrubbed for the day. Teams will bring the KSLV-1 Rocket back to the Integration Facility for repairs and additional checkouts. |
Photo: Khrunichev
|
A new launch date has not been announced, but the delay will be at least three days. The Launch Window remains open until October 31, after that, a new data has to be found based on orbital insertion requirements and airspace availability.
South Korean Launch Vehicle declared ready for Liftoff
|
October 25, 2012
|
South Korea is ready for the country’s third attempt of achieving a successful launch with their KSLV-1 (Korean Space Launch Vehicle). After the rocket was rolled to the Naro Space Center’s Launch Complex on Wednesday, teams put the launcher through a final dress rehearsal of the Launch Countdown and the Ascent Sequence. No problems were found and the Rocket and its Payload, STSAT-2C, were declared ready for launch.
Whether a launch attempt will be made during Friday’s Launch Window stretching from 6:30 to 10:00 UTC will be decided at about T-3 hours when a final systems and weather check is performed. Ahead of that, at about T-6:30, a final Launch Readiness Review will be conducted. Fueling of the Rocket’s first stage with Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene begins at T-2 hours as the vehicle goes through more systems tests and reconfigurations. The second stage uses solid fuel that has already been loaded.
The automated Countdown Sequence is started at T-15 Minutes putting the vehicle through its final steps placing it in its launch configuration.
Whether a launch attempt will be made during Friday’s Launch Window stretching from 6:30 to 10:00 UTC will be decided at about T-3 hours when a final systems and weather check is performed. Ahead of that, at about T-6:30, a final Launch Readiness Review will be conducted. Fueling of the Rocket’s first stage with Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene begins at T-2 hours as the vehicle goes through more systems tests and reconfigurations. The second stage uses solid fuel that has already been loaded.
The automated Countdown Sequence is started at T-15 Minutes putting the vehicle through its final steps placing it in its launch configuration.
Nine Minutes after liftoff, the STSAT-2C satellite is planned to be released in a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit, but for that, both stages, the liquid-fueled first stage built by Russian Space Manufacturer Khrunichev, and the second stage, built by KARI, have to work perfectly and the Payload Fairing has to separate properly – objectives that were not fulfilled on the first two missions of the KSLV launcher.
Should the satellite reach its target orbit, it would go through a pre-programmed sequence, starting one hour after launch with the initiation of three-axis-control. About 140 minutes after blastoff, STSAT-2C is planned to transmit its first beacon signals and about 13 hours after launch, the satellite would make first contact with a ground station at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
For a detailed overview of the KSLV Launcher and the STAT-2C Payload, refer to the first mission update on this site.
Should the satellite reach its target orbit, it would go through a pre-programmed sequence, starting one hour after launch with the initiation of three-axis-control. About 140 minutes after blastoff, STSAT-2C is planned to transmit its first beacon signals and about 13 hours after launch, the satellite would make first contact with a ground station at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
For a detailed overview of the KSLV Launcher and the STAT-2C Payload, refer to the first mission update on this site.
KSLV rolled to Launch Pad - Liftoff planned Friday
|
October 24, 2012
|
All Photos: Khrunichev
Photo: Khrunichev
Photo: Khrunichev
Photo: Khrunichev
|
Photo: Khrunichev
|
Photo: Khrunichev
|
Photo: Khrunichev
|
Photo: Khrunichev
|
Photo: Khrunichev
|
South Korea set for next Orbital Launch Attempt with KSLV
|
October 17, 2012
|
|
South Korea is set for its third attempt to finally succeed at launching a satellite into Orbit aboard the country’s own launch vehicle. A Naro-1 Rocket, also known as Korea Space Launch Vehicle or KSLV-1 is set to launch on October 26 on a Mission to deliver STSAT-2C Satellite to Orbit.
Although South Korea has successfully launched sounding rockets and operated satellites launched aboard overseas launch vehicles, the country has not performed a successful orbital launch yet. The first and second flight of the KSLV ended in failures. KSLV is South Korea’s first Orbital Launch Vehicle that is built by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Russia. The rocket is based on the Universal Rocket Module that is built by Khrunichev and a KSR second stage built by KARI. At Liftoff, the rocket weighs 140,000 Kilograms standing 33 meters tall with a diameter of 2.9 meters. |
Photo: Yonhap News Agency
|
The Universal Rocket Module is part of the Russian Angara rocket that is currently being developed. Angara, a heavy lift launch vehicle capable of lifting up to 40,500 Kilograms into Low Earth Orbit, is based on a modular design and would fly with 1, 3, 5 or 7 URMs as first stage. KSLV on the other hand, is a light-weight launcher, and only uses a single, down-powered URM as its first stage. The first stage is 2.9 meters in diameter, 25.1 meters long and has an empty weight of about 10,000kg. At liftoff it holds more than 120,000kg of propellants, Liquid Oxygen and Rocket- Grade Kerosene.
*File Image* - Photo: Khrunichev
|
The Angara URM uses an RD-191 engine with a Sea Level thrust of 1,920 Kilonewtons, whereas the KSLV is equipped with an RD-151 engine that is a down-powered version of the RD-191 with a reduced thrust of 1,670kN. It has a specific impulse of 338 seconds. The first stage burns 240 seconds.
The second stage that is a development of KARI, is a KSR-1 Solid Rocket Motor that is also used on South Korean Sounding Rockets. It provides a thrust of 86.2 Kilonewtons and burns for about 25 seconds, burning through about 1,000kg of solid propellant. KSLV can lift a 100-Kilogram Payload to a 300 by 1,500-Kilometer orbit, The first flight of the KSLV-1 launch vehicle took place on August 25, 2009 from the Naro Space Center that is located on Naro Island in Goheung, 485 Kilometers south of Seoul. The rocket lifted off successfully and, according to reports, the URM first stage performed as planned and separated from the second stage as expected. However, the protective payload fairing did not separate properly and the additional weight resulted in the vehicle not reaching orbit. The launcher went off its planned trajectory, flying 20 Kilometers above the planned altitude before falling back to Earth due to insufficient velocity. The payload, STSAT-2A re-entered the atmosphere and was destroyed. The second launch of the Naro-1 launch vehicle occurred on June 10, 2010 and the flight ended after 137 seconds when all communications with the launcher were lost. The rocket is believed to have exploded. The payload for this flight was STSAT-2B. A Failure Review Board consisting of South Korean and Russian experts, convened to find the root cause of the problem and develop modifications for upcoming launches. According to the findings of an independent Russian commission, the Khrunichev-built first stage did not show any indications of problems and the board concluded that the second stage of the vehicle was the cause of the failure. An official failure investigation report has not been published by South Korea. The second flight carried STSAT-2B. |
The third KSLV-1 to fly will feature a number of modifications on the Flight Termination System on the second stage – implying that this was found to be the cause of the failure on the second KSLV mission. In addition, this launcher will be equipped with an improved electrical system.
|
The payload for this flight is STSAT-2C – the third of the second generation of STSATs. The full name of the spacecraft is Science and Technology Satellite 2C. The satellite weighs 100 Kilograms and is 1 x 1 x 1.5 meters in size.
It is likely a modified version of the previously flown STSAT-2B that included a payload suite consisting of a Dual-Channel Radiometer for Atmosphere Monitoring, a Laser Retroreflector Array for Satellite Laser Ranging experiments and a series of technology demonstration payloads such as attitude control systems, pulsed plasma thrusters, star trackers and a sun sensor. The satellite is planned to operate for two years. Its desired orbit is 300 by 1,500 Kilometers with an inclination of 80 degrees. Launch is planned for October 26, 2012 during a 3.5-hour launch window opening at 6:30 UTC. Officials have indicated that the decision whether to launch the vehicle that day will be made shortly before the desired launch time and that backup launch dates are available through October 31. |
Photo: Yonhap News Agency
|
Preparations for the flight started earlier this year. At the Khrunichev Facility near Moscow, the first stage of the launcher was integrated and underwent testing, concluding in August before the stage was shipped to South Korea where it arrived on August 29 for transport to the launch site via sea vessel. Early in September, the URM arrived at the launch site. Later, the second stage was attached to its payload encapsulated in the protective payload fairing before being attached to the first stage to complete the launcher integration process. Teams will perform tests of the rocket before officials approve the vehicle for flight later this month.
After a successful KSLV-1 flight, South Korea will move to the next stage of the KSLV program to develop a launcher that is capable of delivering payloads of up to 1,500kg to Low Earth Orbit. This was the final URM stage delivered by Russia since all future South Korean launch vehicles are planned to use components developed and built in South Korea.
After a successful KSLV-1 flight, South Korea will move to the next stage of the KSLV program to develop a launcher that is capable of delivering payloads of up to 1,500kg to Low Earth Orbit. This was the final URM stage delivered by Russia since all future South Korean launch vehicles are planned to use components developed and built in South Korea.
 |
