"Flashing in the Night Sky"... Successful Test Flight of Space Launch Vehicle (Update)

Following the Success of the March Propulsion Test, After 9 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The 'solid-propellant space launch vehicle' has successfully completed a test flight. This is an achievement nine months after the propulsion test success in March this year.

The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 30th that the solid-propellant space launch vehicle test was successful.

On the afternoon of the 30th, a light flying across the sky over Oksu-dong, Seoul, leaving a long trail of smoke was captured. This phenomenon was observed in various regions nationwide, and the Ministry of National Defense announced that it successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-propellant space launch vehicle at around 6:50 PM that day.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In March this year, the solid-fuel space launch vehicle propulsion test was successfully conducted for the first time, and prior to that, in July last year, a combustion test of the solid-fuel propulsion system was successfully completed.

The 'South Korea-US Missile Guidelines,' which had previously restricted the use of solid-fuel-based launch vehicles, ended following the South Korea-US summit in May last year. This has accelerated development led by the Ministry of National Defense and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), resulting in this outcome.

The propulsion system based on solid fuel is used in space launch vehicles capable of placing small satellites or multiple microsatellites into low Earth orbit. Compared to liquid-fuel propulsion systems, it is relatively inexpensive and has a simpler structure, making mass production easier. Additionally, unlike liquid fuel, it can be pre-loaded, allowing for rapid launch.

Comparison of Solid and Liquid Propulsion Engines for Space Launch Vehicles
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as the test flight was conducted without prior notice, reports mistaking it for a 'missile' or 'unidentified flying object' were received from various parts of the country.

At around 6:09 PM, a report was received from Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, stating, "It looks like a missile passed through the sky." At 6:14 PM, a report came from Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, saying, "A strange object is ascending in the sky." Four minutes later, in Gwansan-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, there was a report of "an unidentified object is moving around."