▲ Naro heading to space in January 2013
It was found that one of the core parts used in the development of the first space launch vehicle in Korea (KSLV-Ⅰ), which was launched in 2013, was sold to scrap metal and returned.
According to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (Han Woo-yeon), the Naroju Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, sold 10 scraps of Naro parts, such as parts of Naro on March 20, and sold them in antiques for 7 million won. Motor) and I bought it for 5 million won in 10 days.
The kick motor is a small solid rocket mounted on the second stage of the second stage rocket, the Naro. The first stage rocket developed by Russia puts the second stage in outer space and then moves the satellite into the target orbit.
The kick motor that was sold and then returned is the certification model (QM) used in the development process.
Kick motors are developed through a system development model (EM) and QM. QM is manufactured like a flight model (FM) used for actual launch, and is used to verify performance in the laboratory.
At the time of Naro's development, Hwang Woo-Yeon combined EM and QM to produce 15 test kick motors.
The troubled kick motor was brought to the Naro State Center from the headquarters of the anti-union Daejeon in 2016 for the exhibition. After completing the exhibition, it was kept in poor condition, and it became rusty due to poor management.
The scientific community pointed out that this case revealed a loophole in the management system, such as lack of regulations on the outcomes used in the R&D process.
An official at the incident said, "We have initiated an internal audit on this issue and plan to clarify the responsibilities." We will also review and reorganize related regulations.
(Photo = Yonhap News)