[Interview] The Man Who Watched Over Nuri from the Ground: 24 Hours with Director Park Jongchan

"Now, everything that people can do has been done. Nuriho, soar freely and fulfill your mission."

Jongchan Park, Head of the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project Group at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, who was responsible for the fourth launch of Nuriho, bid his final farewell to the rocket heading for space in the early hours of November 27. Recalling the previous night, he said, "Rather than sleeping, I spent the time lying down and going over the checklist in my mind." On the day of the launch, he skipped breakfast as usual, and walked the 600-meter distance from his accommodation to the assembly building, reviewing the inspection items along the way.

Jongchan Park, Head of the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project Group at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, posed in front of the Nuri rocket at the Naro Space Center Assembly Building in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Research Institute

원본보기 아이콘

However, about 40 minutes before launch, the atmosphere in the Mission Control Center (MDC) suddenly tensed. An abnormal pattern was detected in the 'umbilical retrieval pressure sensor' signal from the launch pad. As everyone stared at the monitors, Director Park gave a brief instruction.

"Everyone, stay as you are. We will check the sensor first."

The launch pad engineers manually checked the pneumatic line and concluded that the actual pressure was normal. The issue was with the sensor signal. However, by then, the entry time for the Pre-Launch Operation (PLO) had already been missed. The Launch Management Committee reset the launch time to 1:13 a.m., the last slot within the permissible window. In this way, the team overcame the 18-minute delay, which was the biggest variable of the day.

Ten minutes before the countdown, when the PLO resumed, all eyes were fixed on the console displaying signals from over 700 sensors. Four seconds before liftoff, a curve indicating the first-stage engine's thrust buildup appeared. When Director Park shouted, "Thrust is normal," the Vehicle Hold-Down (VHD) was released, and at 1:13 a.m., Nuriho soared into space. The next 16 minutes required intense focus once again.

All stages, including the separation of the first stage, second stage, and fairing, proceeded normally. The final hurdle was the separation of 13 satellites. At 1:31 a.m., a signal confirmed the separation of the third Next-Generation Medium Satellite, followed by signals for the second, third, and so on, at 20-second intervals. When all indicators switched to "stable," Director Park leaned back in his chair for the first time.

Director Park said, "The next launch is always more important." He also offered advice to his juniors, emphasizing, "Communication is crucial. To achieve that, you need to express your intentions clearly while also being open to listening and accepting others' opinions. Professional knowledge in your field is fundamental, but you must also develop the ability to see problems from new perspectives and think of various solutions."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.