Korean Space Launch Vehicle Nuriho First Stage Rocket Development 'On Track'

Korea Aerospace Research Institute Successfully Completes 2nd Integrated Combustion Test of 1st Stage Rocket on 25th
Completes 'Most Difficult' 1st Stage Rocket Development After 3rd Test in March
Secures 'Independent Space Launch Vehicle' Technology Upon Successful Launch After Full Assembly in October

On the 14th, the Nuri engine was exhibited at the "Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition 2019" held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
Seongnam - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The production of indigenous launch vehicles, which will serve as Korea's means for independent space development and exploration, is progressing smoothly. The development is entering its final stages, with the successful completion of the second combustion test of the first stage engine, which plays the most crucial role among the three stages.

On the afternoon of the 25th, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) successfully conducted the second combustion test of the first stage propulsion system of the Korean launch vehicle 'Nuriho' at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. The first stage propulsion system of Nuriho consists of a cluster of four 75-ton class liquid engines, which must ignite simultaneously and produce balanced thrust as if they were a single engine to fly on the correct trajectory. This requires sophisticated technology and is considered the most critical technology in space launch vehicle development.

This test was conducted for 100 seconds, extended from the first test (30 seconds) carried out in January. It was performed in a manner that verified the automatic launch software used during actual launches. KARI confirmed the propulsion system's performance and durability throughout the entire process, verifying that the propellant was supplied normally to the engine and combustion proceeded stably.

The combustion test of the first stage propulsion system will be conducted a total of three times, and development will be completed once the final test, which will burn for about 130 seconds at the end of March, is passed. Compared to the second and third stages, the first stage has greater engine thrust and a more complex system structure, making it the most critical technology development area to secure before launch. Nuriho is composed of a first stage clustered with four 75-ton engines and second and third stages each consisting of a single 75-ton engine.

A KARI official stated, "With today's smooth 100-second combustion test, we confirmed that the performance and durability of the first stage, as well as the clustering technology?applied for the first time in a domestic launch vehicle?are progressing smoothly." He added, "If the final test of the first stage is successful at the end of March, the development of the first stage will be completed following the second and third stages, and the production of the flight model for Nuriho's first launch scheduled for October this year is expected to proceed smoothly."

Meanwhile, Nuriho is the first indigenous space launch vehicle being developed by the government to secure technology for independent space development. It measures 47.2 meters in total length, has a maximum diameter of 3.5 meters, and weighs 200 tons. It is designed to place a 1.5-ton class medium satellite into low Earth orbit at an altitude of 600 to 800 kilometers.

With a total investment of 1.9572 trillion won, the goal is to secure space launch vehicle manufacturing technology through two test launches by May 2022. The government began developing a 7-ton class liquid engine in March 2010 and accelerated efforts by successfully launching a test rocket with a 75-ton class liquid engine in November 2018. The government plans to utilize the independent launch vehicle technology secured through Nuriho to initiate independent space exploration and development, such as launching lunar orbiters in the future. Unlike the 'Naroho,' which was successfully launched in 2013 but was produced by transferring Russian technology, Nuriho is a truly indigenous launch vehicle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.