S. Korea to launch solid-fuel space rocket postponed in June by year-end

SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean defense ministry is pushing to launch a solid-fuel space rocket by the end of the year, following a June postponement due to safety concerns. The Mir space rocket, initially scheduled for June 30 off Jeju Island, was canceled due to detected issues in the final stages. The ministry has completed thorough inspections and final preparations, but the exact launch date remains undecided, contingent on weather conditions and progress in preparations.

If launched, it would be the rocket's first test launch in a fully assembled four-stage vehicle, following 2022 and 2023 trials of partial three-stage configurations. South Korea has been developing the solid-propellant space launch vehicle since 2021 to enhance its independent spy satellite capabilities and bolster its ability to monitor North Korean threats.

The last launch occurred in December 2023. Solid-fuel space vehicles are simpler in structure and require shorter preparation periods than liquid-fueled ones, enabling rapid response for potential launches. The military intends to use the solid-fuel space rocket to deploy micro-sized spy satellites in the future.