GOHEUNG, Naro Space Center ― The KSLV-1, more affectionately known as the “Naro” rocket, may be only half Korean rocket science, but in terms of devotion, it’s 100 percent ours.
At the same, the IT technology that perfected the rocket is also completely home-grown.
On Saturday, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, unveiled the launch control center to the press ― where all the IT-related data is gathered to make informed decisions on the Naro launch.
Here, more than 180 types of different data are tracked from more than 80 servers, and they were responsible for the minutes up to the countdown of Naro.
While KSLV-1 was delayed twice due to glitches, the IT system had not once malfunctioned, said Choi Yong-tae, a senior researcher of the institute.
It was the result of the institute’s prowess, coupled with efforts from private companies, namely SK C&C and Top Engineering, that helped build and operate the data processing systems and the communication networks for the Naro Space Center.
This expertise will be put to good use when Korea develops its first truly indigenous rocket, the KSLV-2, by 2019 at the earliest.
“We will have to develop new IT infrastructure and data systems, but it will be based on the experience and expertise we have from creating this first IT framework, which was virtually built from scratch,” Choi said.
The Park Geun-hye government is pushing to develop a three-stage indigenous space rocket in the hope of exploring the moon by 2020.
In the meantime, experts believe that some of the IT technology Korea has obtained during the launch of the KSLV-1 may be exported as a manual or platform to use as a guide for going into outer space.
“It’s still too soon, but sharing what we have learned the hard way is a part of our long-term goals,” said Choi.
In the meantime, the institute will focus on building the site for the second rocket at Goheung, one of the most remote towns in Korea that’s now home to the country’s first space center.
