South Korea successfully launches solid-fuel space rocket with satellite

A South Korean solid-fuel-propelled space launch vehicle takes off from the sea near Seogwipo, Jeju, on Monday afternoon. [YONHAP]

The Defense Ministry announced that it had successfully launched a solid-fuel-propelled space launch vehicle (SLV) from the sea near Jeju Island on Monday afternoon.

The ministry said the SLV vehicle, launched from a barge 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) south of Jeju Island at 2:19 p.m., also succeeded in placing a small, low-Earth orbit observation satellite into orbit at about 650 kilometers above the planet's surface.

The 100-kilogram (220-pound) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite was made by Hanwha Systems.

The launch is the third such test of a multi-stage South Korean SLV, the development of which is being led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).

Multi-stage missiles use two or more stages, each with its own engine and propellant, which are jettisoned when they run out of fuel, thereby decreasing the mass of the remaining missile. This process enables the thrust of the remaining stages to more easily accelerate the rocket to its final speed and height.

Staging is used to both fire missiles across long distances and launch satellites into orbit.

According to the Defense Ministry, solid-fuel propellant was used in the first three stages of the latest SLV launch, while the fourth stage was powered by liquid fuel to allow for more precise separation of the satellite payload.

The first two test flights in March and December last year tested the latter three stages of the SLV.

The last test conducted on Dec. 30 last year startled many South Koreans, who were concerned that it might have been an attack from North Korea.

The ministry said in its news release that the South Korean military “will be capable of launching small satellites designed for surveillance and reconnaissance in accordance with its security demands and in contingencies” once the development of the solid-fuel space launch vehicle is complete, but did not specify a timetable.

The ministry also said it planned to develop a space delivery system capable of launching heavier satellites weighing between 500 and 700 kilograms into low-Earth orbit.

The announcement of the test came two days after the Defense Ministry announced South Korea had successfully launched its first indigenous space satellite into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

North Korea placed its first spy satellite into orbit on Nov. 21 after conducting two failed attempts in May and August.

The first two SLVs launched by the North fell midflight into the sea after malfunctioning during stage separation.

The regime has said via its official media that it plans to launch more soon.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]