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Russia delivers new rocket unit to South Korea instead of defective unit

The first two attempts for the launch of the rocket Naro-1 were abortive in August 2009 and June 2010

SEOUL, November 18 (Itar-Tass) — Russia delivered a new unit for the rocket Naro-1 to South Korea instead of a defective unit, over which the third attempt at the launch of the rocket Naro-2, which was carrying a scientific satellite, was cancelled several hours before the launch, the South Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technologies reported on Sunday.

The spare part, which is a rubber seal that is connecting the first liquid stage of the rocket with the launching pad, was brought to the spaceport Naro in the south of the Korean Peninsula, 480 kilometres south of Seoul.

The space engineers will replace the defective unit within 2-3 days and will finalize the check of the onboard systems of the rocket also known as the Korean Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1).

The first stage of the rocket was produced by the Khrunichev State Space Centre and the second solid-fuel stage is of South Korean production.

The special committee will hold a meeting on Monday or Tuesday and will set a new date for the launch of the rocket. The launch is expected to be made on November 28.

The first two attempts for the launch of the rocket Naro-1 were abortive in August 2009 and June 2010.

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