hankyoreh

team leader of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1.

“We have been preparing for the launch since 2002, and although we have been working on it for a long time, just a few minutes can determine its success or failure. Perhaps I am experiencing a feeling of emptiness towards the upcoming launch. They are saying that in other countries, people have cried over their launches, maybe as a result of being moved rather than a feeling of emptiness. Right now, frankly speaking, I am not feeling anything. The only thing in my head right now is the word ‘success.’”

These were the feelings described by Dr. Park Jung-joo, head of the launch system project team at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), who is overseeing the launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1 or Naro-1). The launch is scheduled to take place Tuesday, following seven years of development. “Developing South Korea’s first space rocket has been hard for everyone, but we have gained a lot of technology and experience working with Russia,” Park said. “We are not yet at the stage of possessing independent satellite launch capability, but this launch attempt signals the beginning of advance space development for us,” he noted.

Hankyoreh:Could you briefly sum up your thoughts as you look back on the last seven years preparing for the launch?

Park: “It is the first space launch rocket for everyone involved, so we have had to gain experience and learn by trial and error. There have been a great number of technological barriers to overcome, and it has been difficult working with a small work force when laboratories in other counties have a staff size of 10,000. That said, we have been trying to find ways to manage the project with a small work force, and we have been working together with an experienced partner like Russia, but international cooperation is not always easy.”

Park: “When you develop a kick motor (attached to the side of the rocket) with 8t of thrust, you have to conduct land combustion tests. In March 2006, there was a big explosion during one. The flames are supposed to spray towards the back, but instead, they sprayed towards front. It blew up maybe 30 seconds into the test, and the whole test facility was burned and ruined. The combustion only lasted 60 seconds, but it felt like a really long time. Moreover, there was nothing but debris left making it pretty tough to analyze the cause and find the solution.”

Park: “Although we had Russia’s help, it would be accurate for us to say that the Naro-1 is South Korea’s first space launch vehicle. However, we cannot say that we have the capacity for an independent launch. We will aim for an independent launch of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 in the next stage set for 2018.”

“I imagine they will say something like, South Korea launched its own launch vehicle, but South Korea is not yet able to develop a first-stage rocket. We are placing greater significance on increasing our capacity by the next phase. The Naro-1 marks the beginning of South Korea’s advance space development, which will be complete in the next phase.”

“If we had tried to develop the Naro-1 alone, we would have been faced with a formidable task. And while the first-stage rocket was produced by Russia, we participated in designing the launch vehicle system and built the launch pad, Korean businesses participated and designed the orbit and so on. As a result, we were able to gain experience and technology in a wide range of areas. Our engineers all gained some experience, and have come to realize that we have the capacity to engage in an independent launch next time. This is important.”

“The vehicle is large and complex. All the technology used is extreme technology. For example, we have to realize the contradiction in producing a vehicle with a tremendous driving force while using materials that are tremendously light. With a bridge, the intention is to ensure it is built solidly, but a launch vehicle is different. If it is too heavy, it will not be able to take-off, and if it is too light, it will blow up. The weight has to be reduced and trimmed, but not down to the point where it could blow up. It is built ‘on the edge.’ Various conflicting technologies have to be balanced, and this takes tremendous know-how. In addition, technology is not the only important factor that has to be considered. ‘System skills’ are needed for designing and managing the technology, the budget and the schedule together.”

“People are always talking about success and failure prior to a launch, but we have not been because we believe it is bad luck. Some of the researchers are hoping for success and refusing to cut their beards, and some are depending on religion and praying...”

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