Naro Space Center


Naro Space Center is a South Korean spaceport in South Jeolla's Goheung County, operated by the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute.
The spaceport is located about south of Seoul. It includes two launch pads, a control tower, rocket assembly and test facilities, facilities for satellite control testing and assembly, a media center, an electric power station, a space experience hall and a landing field. It supported 4 launches, and will also support the KSLV-II launch in 2021, and SSLV launches in 2025.

History

Naro-1

The first launch, initially planned for 19 August 2009, was performed on 25 August 2009 using a Russo-South Korean Naro-1 rocket, but failed to reach the desired orbit. Another rocket launch from Naro was planned for May 2010, but delays pushed the launch to June. On June 10, 2010, this second attempt also ended in failure when the rocket lost communications 137 seconds after launch. The South Korean science minister Ahn Byung-man later told reporters that the rocket was believed to have exploded. A third attempt was made on January 30, 2013 and finally succeeded in putting a satellite into orbit.

KSLV-II TLV

The TLV was the second vehicle to use the Naro Space Center. It was launched on 28 November 2018, having a mission objective of qualifying the KRE-075 engine. The launch was a success.

Facilities

LC-1 (LB-1)

LC-1, also called as LB-1 for the pad itself, is the first pad constructed in the Naro Space Center. It supported 3 Naro-1 launches and the KSLV-II TLV launch. It will also support the SSLV launch from 2025.

LC-2 (LB-2)

LC-2, also called as LB-2 for the pad itself, is the second pad in the Naro Space Center. It will support the KSLV-II launch from 2021. Different from LC-1, which doesn't have an umbilical tower, LC-2 has a tower to support the KSLV-II. The site is now on construction.