KSLV - Korean Space Launch Vehicle-1 First Flight
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) Russian made Ground Test Vehicle with The Republic of Korea second stage and payload shroud undergoing launch pad installation facilities testing April 15, 2009
6-8-2010
Republic of Korea [ROK] First Satellite Launch Attempt of KSLV-1 (Naro-1) was "Half Successful" but the Satellite Orbiting Failed.
South Korean KSLV-1 (Naro-1) Launch successful at 5:00 PM South Korean time August 25, 2009 but the satellite orbital insertion was lofted by on the order of 21-25 kilometers leaving the orbiting in doubt. The satellite with its second stage reached an altitude of 327 kilometers instead of the approximately 302-306 kilometers expected for a 302 by 2,045 km orbit. It’s Science and Technology Satellite-2 (STSAT-2) actually went ballistic up to an altitude of 387 kilometers some 11 minutes from launch according to the Vice Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Kim Jung-hyun. The two stage KSLV-1 booster’s performance was apparently all on time sequence wise but the liftoff did show some booster drifting from the vertical rise to one side of the launch facility. While it did the 900 meters plus altitude maneuver to change course to go down range on inclination from launch azimuth it could be seen momentarily nose down and back up quickly recovered its heading as it moved out down range. That maneuver was definitely not a steady smooth transition in the heavy dynamic loading flight period.
That moment during high dynamic loading may have created the structural failure and or electrical wiring electrical discharge failure combined explosive separation mechanism assembly issues that later failed to properly separate one half of the payload shroud. Additionally the unexpected high pressure registered inside the shroud was at the moment of expected shroud separation measured at some 10,000 times what had been anticipated prior to flight.
Speculating whether one of the explosive bolts mechanism had been structurally broken earlier in flight and only partially prematurely detonated creating the pressure and half shroud separation failure remains totally uncertain based on what has been released publicly. Why was not that pressure relieved to atmosphere as altitude was gained as is normal is equally unclear?
Satellite Cause of the Satellite Orbiting Failure
Why the booster lofted the payload lies in the flight telemetry which revealed that the South Korean built forward nose fairing two piece shroud did not separate properly at 216 seconds into flight. This ultimately caused the satellite to go off course and ballistic over the South Pacific region with some parts impacting in Australia. Only one half of the 600 kilogram shroud separated properly with the other half 300 kilograms section remaining in place until satellite separation from the second stage. It is assumed that as the satellite separated from the second stage it impacted the remaining shroud half forcing its separation while damaging the satellite. This excess payload far exceeded the boosters 100 kilogram orbiting payload capability causing the second stage spacecraft combination to only attain a velocity of 6.2 kilometers per second much slower than the 8 kilometers per second required to orbit the 100 kilogram satellite. The second stage did not have the capability to make up for the extra payload mass resulting in the lower velocity attained. It also resulting in the guidance system having to cope with the off set center of gravity with roll like tumbling and upward off set thrusting rather than driving directly to orbit along the earth curvature. All attempts to receive signals from or contact the satellite have failed and all planned further attempt have been cancelled in the face of the failures understanding.
A second launch attempt by the KSLV-1 was expected in April or May 2010 but is now schedules between June 9 -19, 2010 according to the agreement between Russia’s, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and the South Korean, Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) its government space agency though even this is in doubt because of unknown issues such as weather delays as launch day approaches.
South Korea rescheduled the launch of the KSLV-1 also called [Naro-1] for its second attempt on August 25, 2009 at 5:00 PM local time. The KSLV-1 was moved back to the launch pad on Sunday August 23, 2009 erecting it on the pad by 3:50 PM after being returned to the assembly building by it transporter erector. This was done to finish the engine clean out and re-prepare it for launch after fixing the software issues that stopped the previous attempt. All umbilical mast and ground connections were completed by 9:00 PM according to South Korea’s, Korea Aerospace Research Institute [KARI].
South Korea’s first satellite launch from the new Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla province 485 km south of Seoul using a jointly developed booster named KSLV-1 [Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1] was scheduled for its maiden flight between August 19 and August 26, 2009. Its first launch attempt scheduled for August 19, 2009 at 5:00 PM was scrubbed 7.42 minutes ( 4:52 PM) before liftoff while on the automatic launch sequencer. Due to the lateness of the scrubbed launch several days of recycle work as well as investigative testing corrections and decoking clean out of the kerosene from the RD-151 rocket engine will require at least three days. KSLV-1 scrubbed launch was cause by a helium operated high pressure valve that failed to perform as expected because of low pressure in its supply helium high pressure tank. This was later discovered to be problem with the software sensor connected with the automatic launch sequencer. What ultimately caused that will be the starting point of understanding what appears to have interrupted the automatic launch sequencer operation stopping the countdown.
The launch from the 312.4 billion Won (~$253. million) new Naro Space Center completed in June 2009 from construction was started in 2005. KSLV-1’s launch is still dependent on weather winds through the atmosphere and visibility conditions on the range between the hours of 4:40-6:20 P.M. local Korean time. This time of launch constraint is for maximum solar array exposure on the first day in space for the satellite. It had originally been tentatively set for a July 30, 2009 launch after several previous delays but testing of the propulsion system of the first stage RD-151 engine back in Moscow and the analysis of the data from the test had delayed the final clearance for flight.
Finally the flight test KSLV-1 was rolled out on August 17th for a 1.5 kilometer trip to the launch infrastructure on its erector transporter. After erection on to the pad the booster was locked down with explosive bolts around 4:15 PM. All fueling, pneumatic and electrical connections completed from the ground and umbilical mast to the booster by 9:30 PM. Final fueling operation for launch will begin three hours before liftoff with launch control supervising the automated operations from 2 km from the launch site infrastructure. On the day of launch the launch approval comes at 20 minutes prior to launch followed by automated launch sequencer operations started 15 minutes before liftoff. If the launch had been successful it would make South Korea the 10th nation to successfully launch a satellite from its own countries facility.
The KSLV-1 is a joint development of the Russian, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Research Institute [KARI] an organization of the South Korean government. Other South Korean industries helping with the program are several University laboratories, Hyundai “Heavy Industries Co., Korean Air, Doosan Infracore Co. (Doowon Heavy Industry Co.), Kospace, EO Systems Co., and Samsung Techwin.
KSLV-1 Is the First Flight Test of the Russian Angara Booster.
Russia is responsible for the first stage of the KSLV-1 literally the first flight test of the Angara booster launch vehicle family airframe with a different first stage engine for this booster being slowly developed in Russia while KARI is responsible for the second stage of the booster and its experimental Science and Technology Satellite-2 [STSAT-2] payload of about 100 kilograms. The Angara utilizes an RD-191 rocket engine in its first stage.
The KSLV-1 is a 140 ton booster that is 33 meters tall and a first stage maximum diameter of 2.9 meters not including the base fins. Its 25.8 meter long first stage uses one Russia’s RD-151, NPO Energomash rocket engines producing a liftoff thrust of 170 tons. Its first stage is ignited 3.8 seconds before liftoff and burns 229 seconds of the 232 seconds before staging utilizing a liquid propellant combination of Kerosene and Liquid Oxygen. KSL:V-1 endures maxi um dynamic pressure at 55 seconds followed by shroud separation at 215 second into the launch. The second stage 395 seconds from liftoff ignites after a 163 seconds controlled coast utilizing an 8 metric tons thrust solid propellant kick motor that burns out at 453 seconds with an active attitude control system for satellite orbital insertion separation some 540 second (9 minutes) after liftoff. Total KSLV-1 launch vehicle development cost was estimated by KARI at 502.5 billion won or roughly in excess of $404.50 million dollars depending on the rate of exchange. It reflects the experience learned over 20 years of research and development in space technology by South Korea.
Science and Technology Satellite-2 [STSAT-2] Experimental Satellite
The 100 kilogram STSAT-2 experimental satellite is expected to be placed into a 300-1,500 kilometer high inclination orbit for a two year mission design life. Its boost payload shroud separates at 215 second after liftoff to reveal the box shaped gold foil covered satellite uses two unfolding solar arrays to produce 160 watts power. Instruments carried on the satellite are a microwave radiometer and a Lyman–alpha imaging solar telescope [List] {SLR} device all designed with the intent to measure earth’s radiation energy as well as accurate orbital altitude measurements of the satellite and ground stations via a laser ranging device. This Experimental satellite was jointly developed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology [KAIST] and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology [GIST]. If the orbit insertion is accomplished it with be a full 11-12-13 hours before the satellite will report to South Korean, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology ground station because of the orbital plane rotation.
Future Planned Developments
In the future South Korea has tentatively suggested that around 2018 they plan to complete the development of the KLSV-2 and later the KSLV-3 conceptual three stage launch vehicles of over 50 meters height with an initial 1,000 kilogram and later 1,500 kilogram payload capacity through its own indigenous launch vehicle and propulsion system development. New indigenous South Korean developed liquid propellant rocket engines and the associated test facilities is the key to this future development. Towards this end South Korea has developed a 30 metric ton thrust rocket engine nearing testing and is developing a 75 metric ton thrust rocket engine also with more to come. These booster concepts are yet to be fully designed because of the required rocket engine technology development effort required that only time can allow to be more closely defined. Starting in 2010 South Korea plans to pump into the Space program Science and Technology development some 24 billion wan or about $19.2 million in some six sectors. Besides emphasizing separately rocket engine development their S&T investment is to be focused on heat-resistant light materials technology development Infrared space sensors, S-band receiver’s transmitters for satellite application along with the best data processing equipment to be on the leading edge of the technology. This is to push the basic sciences to push the basic technologies to develop an independent launch vehicle and satellite industrial capability for scientific, commercial and military intelligence purposes as well as developing its national economy in these cross pollination technologies. In that respect the South Korean government is selecting some 11 university laboratories to invest in basic S&T development to support this national effort. South Korea has also discussed launching a lunar orbiting satellite by 2020 as well as a lunar Lander by 2025 though this could slip.
This new total systems development by South Korea ( Republic of Korea-[ROK]) effort was brought on because Russia’s had no intentions of going outside the Missile Technology Control Regimes with in their commercial contract for such technology transfer. It is after all only a commercial contract for the Russians at this point and they are not about to get away the “crown jewels” of Russian technology source of income from an on going Angara development program partially paid for by another nations application.
North Korean Protest
North Korea (DPRK) has suggested that this [ROK] South Korean KSLV-1 space launch partially supported by two members of the “Six Party Talks” be brought before the United Nations Security Council for sanctions as was done with their Unha-2/Taepo-dong-2B launch which was a violation of the UN Security Council ruling against missile testing by the DPRK.
In reality this has no foundation and is merely South Korean attempted launch of an experimental scientific satellite on a none strategic experimental space launch vehicle. Its program has been quite open and compliant with the Missile Technology Regime requirements with full web site information available for all to observe and facilities open to the world press. Where was that level of information and imagery as well as world press coverage live from the beginning of the DPRK’s January 31 build up and April 5, 2009 launch of the duel purpose ballistic missile, space booster Unha-2/Taepo-dong-2B with a communications satellite never displayed? This in and of itself says volumes about how hollow this suggestion is from the DPRK. On August 18, 2009 the U. S. State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly stated that “The South Koreans have developed their program in a very open and transparent way, and in keeping with international agreements that they have signed on to.” Further that South Korea has “Developed their space launch program in a responsible manner” and that “This is in stark contrast to the example set by North Korea, which has not abided by its international agreements.”
Corrective Action Post First Flight Attempt
From the apparent reasons of the launch failure of KSLV-1 the South Korean's have taken actions to prevent the electrical and or mechanical failure. This has resulted in a duplicate shroud separation system as well as the use of cables with greater resistance and the molding of those wires connected to the trigger that separates systems for the fairing. If part of the shroud fails to separate properly and back up system will assure its proper separation with each half's separation cross check of the others operation. It is the improper separation of one of the two piece shrouds that is blamed for the failure to successfully place the satellite in orbit during the August 2009 attempt.
If all had gone well with the KSLV-1 (1) first launch a second launch with a STSAT-2 satellite was tentatively scheduled for April 2010 with a third launch vehicle being prepared as a back up in case of a launch loss in the first two of the series. South Korea has already placed 10 satellites in orbit cooperating with other countries in addition to having its first astronaut placed in space in April 2008.
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