[Courtesy of Innospace]
SEOUL --The launch of Hanvit-TLV, a test launch vehicle developed by South Korean startup Innospace, was delayed for a day due to extended pre-launch examinations and preparations, the tech startup said.
In October 2021, South Korea successfully launched a homemade three-stage rocket called the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 (KSLV-2) known as "Nuri" into space. The rocket equipped with a 300-ton-class propulsion system was developed solely using domestically-developed technologies.
The first launch of the homemade Nuri has put South Korea among the ranks of countries that can develop a rocket capable of carrying more than one ton of payload into orbit. It took South Korean scientists 11 years and seven months to develop a rocket using domestic technology after countries such as the United States, Russia, France, Japan, China, and India.
Innospace said in a statement on March 8 that the launch of Hanvit-TLV, originally scheduled to be launched at the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil in the afternoon of March 7 (local time), was delayed for a day due to extended examinations. The rocket is docked onto the launching pad and is awaiting for the pre-launch checking process to finish.
"Considering that today is our first day of the launch preparation period, we are preparing for a thorough inspection of the vehicle," Innospace said. Hanvit-TLS is a 16.3 meter-tall hybrid engine test launch vehicle equipped with a single-stage 8.4-ton rocket engine.
The successful launch of Hanvit-TLV will determine the future of South Korean private launch vehicles in the global market by proving the efficacy and revealing the possibility of South Korean-made space launch vehicles.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
