The military's fourth test launch of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle, scheduled to take place on the 30th in Jeju, was postponed.
The Ministry of National Defense said that "the test launch of the solid-propellant space launch vehicle scheduled for today was halted in consideration of safety after some issues were found during final launch preparations."
The planned launch time was around 2 p.m. that day. However, the decision to halt was made just before liftoff. It was reported that an abnormality was found in some functions during the process of checking final operations.
The military is currently determining the detailed cause. A new launch schedule has not yet been set.
A solid-propellant launch vehicle is a space launch vehicle that uses solid fuel as a propellant instead of liquid fuel. Its simple structure shortens launch preparations to within seven days. Launch expense is also lower than for liquid-fuel rockets.
Previously, the military began technology development led by ADD after the "lifting of the South Korea-U.S. missile guidelines" in May 2021 removed restrictions on solid fuel propulsion for space launch vehicles.
Test launches were conducted three times in March and December 2022 and in December 2023, and all were successful.
The military plans to use a Korean-style solid-fuel space launch vehicle to launch very small reconnaissance satellites into space.