Nuri, which has finished standing, launches again postponed... when will it be possible

<Anchor Kim Hyun-woo>

Nuriho's challenge to the universe has been postponed again.

Because the problem was identified during the preparation process.

Let's connect the scene.

Anchor Kim Yong-tae, the place that waited only for the moment of launch is probably the biggest regret.

Please tell me more details.

<Anchor Kim Yong-tae> This 

is the Naro Space Center in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do.

Until today (the 15th) daytime, there was full of anticipation here, but as darkness came, the night air fell heavily.

It was a re-attempt in eight months since the first launch in October last year, but the launch of the Korean projectile Nuri, made by our own hands, was once again delayed.

The day before the countdown, a sensor abnormality was confirmed, and the Nuri had to get off the launch pad today.

First of all, this is reporter Jae Hee-won.

<Reporter> 

At 7:20 a.m., the Nuri-ho, which has been assembled, appears outside.

The 47.2m tall, 15-story apartment building was loaded into a special vehicle and moved to the launch site at a speed of 1.5km/h.

Nuriho stood tall toward the sky with the help of a standing device.

But the second challenge was not easy.

The launch pad, which was connected like an umbilical cord, finished preparing to supply fuel and oxidizer, but a problem occurred during the final check of the signal system.

The sensor that measures the water level in the oxidizer tank has found an abnormal reading.

The anti-accidental agency said that there is a tank in the first stage of the Nuri ship that contains a propellant that is rocket fuel and an oxidizer that helps burn the propellant, but a problem has been detected with the water level sensor inside the tank.

The sensor is not reading what it should have read when the oxidant tank is empty.

Immediately after the problem was discovered, the researchers started an urgent inspection, but it was not easy to determine the exact cause when the Nuri was standing. 

Eventually, the Nuri was unloaded from the launch pad and moved back to the assembly building. 

[Ko Jeong-hwan / Korea Aerospace Research Institute Head of Korean Launch Vehicle Development Division: We tried to determine the cause, but it was judged that it was impossible to proceed with launch preparations in the current state as it was very difficult to approach and confirm the launch vehicle in an upright state. 

] Unlike the mechanical problems in the first launch, this time it appears that there is a failure in the electrical system. 

After analyzing the cause of the problem, the anti-accidental agency plans to hold the launch management committee again to confirm the future schedule, but it is unclear whether the launch will be resumed by the 23rd, the scheduled launch schedule.

(Video coverage: Park Hyun-cheol, Video editing: Yoon Tae-ho)

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<Anchor>

I have a lot of questions.

Oh Seung-hyeop, head of projectile propulsion engine development department, who is developing the Nuri has appeared.

[Oh Seung-hyeop / Head of the projectile propulsion engine development department, Aerospace Research Institute: Yes, it is necessary to have a certain amount of fuel in the launch vehicle to actually take off the launch vehicle.

If you do not know how much fuel you have, there is a high probability that the launch will fail.]

[Oh Seung-hyeop / Head of the projectile propulsion engine development department, Aerospace Research Institute: Yes, we also need to find out the cause now.

First of all, when we checked various functions in the assembly building, we confirmed that it was normal data.

In the process of preparing for launch, abnormal data came out, so we postponed the launch to find the cause.]

[Seung-hyeop Oh / Head of Launch Vehicle Propulsion Agency Development Department, Aerospace Research Institute: First of all, we need to find out the exact cause at the technical level, and how long it takes to solve the technical problem is the key.

To set the next launch date, even if the technical problem is resolved, the launch date must be notified to the International Maritime Organization or the flight zone with the cooperation of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to confirm the launch date.]

[Oh Seung-hyeop/Director of the projectile propulsion engine development department, Aerospace Research Institute: Technical problems, it is judged that it is probably right to look at it that way.]

[Seung-hyeop Oh / Head of Launch Vehicle Propulsion Agency Development Department, Aerospace Research Institute: First of all, in the technical part, the key is how quickly we solve technical problems without considering the rainy season, and then the weather. I think it will be possible to reconfirm the launch date considering these variables.]

[Oh Seung-hyeop / Head of Project Vehicle Propulsion Agency Development Department, Aerospace Research Institute: I know that advanced space countries are also preparing for launch from launch vehicles, but these launches are delayed or canceled due to sensor problems in many cases.

That is why we think that it is a process that we had no choice but to do in the development process.]

<Anchor>

The road to space is not blocked or cut off.

It's just a little winding, like the road on the islands here.

Until now, it was the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do.