South Korea launches third solid-fuel rocket test flight

South Korea on Monday launched its third solid-fuel rocket test flight, confirmed the country’s defense ministry. The latest rocket test comes amid South Korea’s effort to build its surveillance satellite system.

This new rocket test launch took place from a barge floating in waters about 4 kilometers south of Jeju Island at 2 p.m. and paced a small Earth observation satellite into orbit at an altitude of about 650 kilometers.

The new rocket uses cost-effective solid-fuel as compared to liquid-fuel space vehicles. It was developed by the state-run Agency for Defence Development and the first three rockets used solid fuel, but the fourth launch may switch to liquid fuel.

The South Korean Defence Ministry fired the first two flights in March and December last year. These tests aimed at the three engines of the rocket.

Image Source – Yonhap Korea

It’s revealed that South Korea is eagerly looking forward to completing the rocket development to deploy its satellite fleet into Earth’s orbit.

According to the plans, the country could develop its space delivery system to send heavier satellites that weigh 500-700 KG.

The latest test flight also comes a few days after SpaceX launched South Korea’s first spy satellite into orbit with its reusable Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

This satellite launch is part of South Korea’s effort to place five surveillance satellites into orbit by 2025 to monitor borders with the rising challenge from neighbor North Korea.

(source – Yonhap Korea)