The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Lee Ju-ho, said he had visited the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and was able to confirm that delivery of the rocket should take place in time for the October launch.
Khrunichev manufactured the liquid-fueled first-stage cryogenic rocket as part of a 2002 agreement to build a space vehicle that can carry satellites into space for South Korea. Seoul built the smaller solid-fuel second stage rocket, also called the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1), as well as the scientific satellite.
Both South Korea and Russia have examined in detail failed launches in 2009 and 2010 to ensure the third attempt succeeds.
Lee said efforts are also under way to place a low orbit satellite into space by 2021 using a South Korean built KSLV-2 rocket. It is important for Seoul to have its own rocket building technology, he said, and the current joint program with Russia has provided important insight and knowledge of the high-tech field.
He added he held talks with Russian officials so the planned launch of the Arirang 5 radar satellite can take place towards the end of 2012, but has not yet had a response. Russia’s defense ministry has to give its final approval for launching the South Korean rocket.
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reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com