- Preliminary Date from 22 to 28 October considering weather conditions
□ The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lim Hye Sook; hereinafter referred to as the ‘MSIT’) has set the date of the first liftoff of KSLV-II, Nuri, for 21 October 2021 with preliminary dates to be from 22 to 29 October after comprehensive review of technical preparation status as well as optimum liftoff conditions during the 「Launch Management Committee for KSLV-II, Nuri」held on 29 September.
□ The Launch Management Committee (chaired by First Vice Minister Yong Hongtaek), which confirmed the liftoff date, is a committee confirming key decisions relevant to the launch of Nuri, and is comprised of key officials from the MSIT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (Director Lee Sang Ryul; hereinafter referred to as KARI.)
ㅇ During the discussion, the Launch Management Committee has confirmed the possible liftoff date after a thorough review of various elements including the launch preparation status, final preparation work before liftoff, and launch conditions (weather, collision possibility with space objects, etc.).
ㅇ The committee set preliminary dates to be from 22 to 28 October considering changes in weather and other affecting conditions.
‣ Frequent changes in liftoff dates are also frequent in other nations due to weather and technical conditions ‣ UAE Hope probe Amal-1 (15th July 2020 → 20th July 2020) and SpaceX crewed space capsule Resilience (14th November 2020 → 15th November 2020) delayed its liftoff date due to weather conditions and the Russian Soyuz (20th March 2021 → 22nd March 2021) changed its liftoff date after identification of technical complications |
□ Currently, Nuri is in the process of its final liftoff preparation including the assembly of the flight model and launch pad inspection following the successful completion of WDR last August.
ㅇ Nuri, after the completion of WDR, is currently loaded with combustion materials for the main flight with separation of engines for each flight stage. Its assembly of the flight model is expected to be completed by mid of October and its body inspection will continue till two days before the liftoff.
ㅇ The second launch pad, which Nuri is expected to have its liftoff, is in the process of various inspection on equipment and systems* for communication synchronization and liftoff operation with the rocket.
* Storage and supply system for rocket fuel and oxidizer, storage and supply system for high pressure gas (helium, nitrogen, oxygen) system for transportation/standing/fixing, system operation control equipments, etc..
□ First Vice Minister Yong Hongtaek of Science and ICT said, “The Ministry of Science and ICT is putting its utmost effort into the remaining liftoff preparation and will furthermore put its all possible capabilities into the project till the very last minute of the liftoff to ensure a successful launch of Nuri.”
For further information regarding the above article, please contact Director Kim In, MSIT (E-mail addreess : kiminkimin@korea.kr)