Speaking at a press briefing at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Science Minister Baek Jeong-hoon said the rocket, dubbed KSLV-II, received a signal from its next-generation medium-sized satellite about 40 minutes after liftoff at 1:13 a.m.
Thursday's launch, the fourth of its kind, is considered to have special significance, as it marks the first civilian-led mission, with Hanwha Aerospace taking the lead in the rocket's production and assembly in collaboration with the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). It was also the first nighttime launch to observe the planet's magnetic field and auroras.
A minor glitch with the rocket's umbilical pressure sensor delayed the launch by about 18 minutes from the originally scheduled 12:55 a.m., but liftoff and other procedures proceeded smoothly.
The rocket followed its planned trajectory, beginning with the successful separation of the first-stage engine about 122.3 seconds after liftoff, followed by the ignition and separation of the second-stage engine. After reaching the target altitude of 600 km, Nuri deployed its main satellite along with 12 microsatellites for their respective missions.
reporter
Cho Bo-hee
jobo@ajupress.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
