South Korea: Rocket Nuri, 8 months postponement: Ministry of Science and ICT
-Deck Airlines, S & K Airlines due to defective parts-
Korea Ministry of Science and ICT:
On March 7, it announced that the Nuri launch plan was postponed.
As a result of a comprehensive inspection of the Nuri launch plan from September to November last year, a parts problem became clear.
The National Space Commission was held to postpone the Nuri launch plan.
Lotte Group Defective Parts:
Korean domestic rocket “Nuri” (KSLV-II):
Initially, a test launch last month was planned.
However, the development schedule was significantly delayed.
It was confirmed that the defective parts delivered by the Lotte Group affiliated companies had an effect.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute has improved the defect rate by leaving the relevant parts to other companies.
Problems occur during general inspection:
At this time, there are two main types of parts that became a problem in the general inspection.
The fuselage connection parts that connect the 1st stage rocket and the 2nd stage rocket at the bottom of the Nuri
There was a problem with the engine connection parts that connect the rocket body to the engine.
Defective fuselage connection parts for 1st and 2nd stage rockets:
We procured rocket fuselage connection parts from the material company Deck Airlines.
Rocket fuselage connections are generally made from thin, light fiber composites.
Delivered by Deck Airlines:
Deck Airlines is a subsidiary of Lotte Chemical.
A problem occurred with the defective rate of rocket fuselage connection parts produced by Deck Airlines.
Deck Airlines’ rocket fuselage connection parts have a lot of impurities inside.
It was evaluated that it was difficult to withstand the load of the Nuri and its durability was reduced.
Correspondence of Korea Aerospace Research Institute:
In the end, the relevant parts manufacturer was changed to Hankuk Fiber.
Two months after changing suppliers, the Nuri succeeded in a 100-second combustion test on the 25th of last month.
By regulation, Deck Airlines was requested for late compensation.
Damage problem with engine connection parts:
The engine connection has a problem in the load-bearing test.
This connecting part
Attached to the lower stage of the 1-stage rocket,
Supporting four 75-ton class engines,
Connect the rocket body and the engine.
Signs of breakage in load test:
The load capacity test of engine connection parts was conducted through structural test equipment.
There were signs of damage to this part, such as “when the Nuri is flying, it will be slightly distorted when a load of over 300 tons is applied.”
Requested remanufacturing from S & K Airlines:
This work was handled by S & K Airlines.
“There are no problems in the manufacturing process,” it became clear.
After reinforcing the parts design, the Aerospace Research Institute requested S & K Airlines to remanufacture it.
Joongang Ilbo |
https://s.japanese.joins.com/JArticle/276256?sectcode=350&servcode=300
S. Korea delays launch of locally-built space rocket Nuri by 8 mos –
The Nuri launch project – led by Korea Aerospace Research Institute –
is a 2010-2022 national project based on 1.96 trillion won ($1.8 billion) in budget. It involves indigenous rocket technology to launch a 1,500 kilogram payload into a 600-800 kilometer low earth orbit.
The science ministry
also announced that it will launch development of Cheollian-3, a geostationary multi-purpose satellite, with an aim to set it off in 2027 after the launch of Nuri space rocket.
The delay in Nuri space rocket launch
will influence Korea’s lunar exploration as Korea had planned to complete lunar landing module by re-engineering Nuri space rocket.
Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea
https://m.pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?sc=30800028&year=2020&no=1334593