Successful combustion test of Nuri’s first-stage propulsion engine for 100 seconds
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2021-03-12
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Successful combustion test of Nuri’s first-stage propulsion engine for 100 seconds
- Confirmation of performance of Nuri’s first-stage propulsion engine such as engine clustering -
□ The Ministry of Science and ICT (MIST) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced on February 25 (Thursday) that they successfully completed the second combustion test of the first-stage propulsion engine of “Nuri”, Korea’s launch vehicle, at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam.
□ The test verified the automatic launch software in the actual launching environment for an extended combustion time of 100 seconds compared to 30 seconds in the first test. It confirmed the performance and durability of the propulsion engine throughout the processes of supply of the propellant to the engine and stable combustion.
ㅇ The combustion test is conducted in three phases. Following the first test in January (combustion for about 30 seconds) and the successful second test today (combustion for about 100 seconds), the final test scheduled at the end of March (combustion for about 130 seconds) will complete the development of the first stage.
□ The 1st stage of Nuri has been considered the key technology development to secure before the launch because of its larger engine propulsion and more complex structure compared to the 2nd and 3rd stages.
※ Engine status for each stage: four 75-ton engines (1st stage), one 75-ton engine (2nd stage), and one 7-ton engine (3rd stage)
ㅇ Since the 1st stage clusters four 75-ton liquid engines, they must ignite simultaneously as if they are an engine unit and show uniform performance to ensure that the launch vehicle flies along the intended trajectory.
□ The successful combustion test for 100 seconds today proves the 1st stage’s performance and durability and confirms that the clustering technology applied for the Korean launch vehicle for the first time is progressing as planned.
□ Once the final test of the 1st stage of the Korean launch vehicle is successful at the end of March, the development of all three stages will be completed. It will be followed by manufacturing a flight model for Nuri’s first launching scheduled in October this year.
□ “Completing the final combustion test next month will mean passing the most technically difficult test before launching Nuri. We will do our best in the future development process to launch Nuri successfully in October,” said Choi Kiyoung, Minister, Ministry of Science and ICT.