Whether to Resume Nuriho Launch Early to Be Decided by Tomorrow

On the 15th, the Nuri rocket (KSLV-II) is being transported back to the assembly building at Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The extent to which the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho (KSLV-II) needs to be repaired is expected to be decided by tomorrow morning at the latest.

On the 16th, Ko Jeong-hwan, head of the Korean Launch Vehicle Development Project at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), stated in an online briefing, "We began internal inspections of Nuriho in the afternoon." He added that they opened the first stage intertank inspection window and started looking inside.

The intertank is the space between the oxidizer tank and the fuel tank in the first stage of Nuriho, equipped with an 'inspection window' that allows personnel to enter and inspect the equipment directly. KARI technicians began inspection work at 8:30 a.m. and approached the inspection window from 2:50 p.m. The technicians are first inspecting the 'terminal box' installed at the connection between the oxidizer tank and the fuel tank, as well as the surrounding electrical wiring.

KARI plans to inspect the equipment near the tank connection today and decide the direction of future work based on the results either tonight or by the morning of the 17th. Head Ko said, "If any abnormalities are found, we will attempt to replace or supplement the parts." He added, "If no problems are found during this inspection, we will eventually inspect the level sensor installed on the oxidizer tank and replace it if necessary."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Head Ko, KARI discovered an abnormality in the oxidizer level sensor during the process of moving Nuriho to the launch pad on the 15th, the day before the scheduled launch, erecting it, connecting the electrical umbilical equipment, and inspecting electrical components. The level sensor is installed on the lid of the first stage oxidizer tank of Nuriho and measures the filling level of the oxidizer, liquid oxygen.

Normally, the signal value indicated by the sensor should change during the erection process, but an error was found where the sensor's signal remained constant. After deciding to move Nuriho back to the assembly building to examine the problem area and cause, it was taken down from the launch pad and moved to the assembly building the previous night.

Head Ko said, "During the electrical equipment inspection after erection, no abnormalities were found in other devices, and only the level sensor showed peculiarities," adding, "We judged there was no problem before leaving the assembly building." He further explained, "Since it is difficult for personnel to access the launch vehicle and open the inspection window while it is erected, we decided it would be best to bring it back to the assembly building for the work."

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