South Korea on Dec. 30 successfully test-fired a solid-fueled rocket that it plans to use to put a spy satellite into orbit in the coming years, marking a significant milestone for the country’s defense ministry.
The flight test was conducted to verify the rocket’s essential technologies, including solid-fuel combustion, fairing separation, attitude control technology, and the separation of a dummy satellite.
This was South Korea’s second test flight of a solid-fueled rocket, following the successful launch of a similar rocket in March last year, the defense ministry said in a statement.
“The success of the second flight test of the solid propellant space launch vehicle was an important milestone in laying the groundwork for the ROK military’s independent space force and a step forward to becoming the 7th largest space power,” it said, using South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea (ROK)….