[FPSPACE] Korea's KSLV-I to launch in 2007, use Russian Angara

[Mark Wade]

This was news to me - the delay and the use of the Angara as a first stage...
(note the graphic shows a US Delta, complete with USAF emblem)

http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/zoom/1341721_11781.html

Countdown Begins for Launch of South Korea's Space Rocket 
  
Korea's first space launch vehicle, KSLV-I, will be launched in 2007
to put Science and Technology Satellite #2 into orbit. While working
on the KSLV project, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)
also aims to launch a 1.5-ton multipurpose satellite, dubbed
"Arirang," in 2015.

 KSLV (Korea Space Launch Vehicle)

KSLV-I is an improved version of Angara, a next-generation launcher
now being developed by the Moscow-based Khrunichev enterprise. KSLV-I
is a two-stage rocket: The first, liquid-fueled stage will be designed
and manufactured by Russia, while the second solid-fueled stage is to
be produced by Korea with its own technologies accumulated from its
experiences in developing solid-fueled missile rockets, under the
technical guidance of Russia.

 Elliptical orbit

KSLV-I will put the nation's science and technology satellite #2 into
an elliptical orbit around Earth. The propulsive power of its first
stage will boost the rocket 40-70 km above the ground. The second
stage will be used to put the payload into orbit.

Launch → liquid-fueled stage 1 - 40-70km above the ground → separation
of stage 1 → flying by momentum/300 km above the ground → ignition of
solid-fueled stage 2 → advance into satellite orbit

 Elliptical orbit and circular orbit

KSLV-I will put the satellite into an elliptical orbit. The satellite
traveling in an elliptical orbit will not be appropriate for
observation purposes, because it repeatedly approaches and recedes
from the earth. KSLV-II and KSLV-III will be designed to put a larger
satellite into a circular orbit. KSLV-III, which is scheduled to be
launched in 2015, will be a 1.5-ton three-stage launch vehicle. Stages
1 and 2 will be liquid-fueled, and stage 3 solid-fueled. It will be
launched to put a multipurpose satellite into a circular orbit at an
altitude of 700-800 km.
<clip>
Modern rocket research was put on track when the Agency for Defense
Development (ADD) succeeded in launching three-stage and two-stage
rockets in 1959. However, the space science research was discontinued
as ADD dissolved. After many twists and turns, the research was
resumed with the establishment of KARI in 1987.

The KSLV project will establish a new epoch in Korea's space
development, 630 years after the invention of the "running fire."
 


-- 
Mark Wade
Encyclopedia Astronautica
http://www.astronautix.com/
astronautix at gmail.com