The cause of the 10 June explosion that ended South Korea's second attempt to launch a satellite has yet to be determined - but the failure was not caused by the Russian-built first stage of the rocket, says the Russian Federal Space Agency.
"The commission investigating causes of the accident continues its work and has several versions. But I am almost positive that the breakdown of the KSLV-1 rocket-carrier was not caused by Russia's first stage," says Vitaly Davydov, deputy chief of the Russian space agency.
The KSLV-1 vehicle, with a climate observation satellite aboard, blasted off, but contact was lost 137s into the flight and a bright flash was seen on the screens in the control room.
South Korean officials had earlier suggested the vehicle's Russian-built first-stage engine - Energomash RD-151 - was to blame for the failure. South Korean news outlets report that debris is still being collected and telemetry data is under review.
A Chinese newspaper reported that the South Koreans plan to partner Russia on a third attempt at a home-grown launch vehicle.
It was South Korea's second attempt to join the Asian space race with its own launch vehicle. The first launch, in August 2009, went well, but a failed fairing prevented the satellite from being deployed.
Meanwhile, South Korea continues to put satellites into orbit using other nations' launch capabilities. A communications, oceanography and weather-forecasting satellite was scheduled to be aboard the Ariane 5 rocket launched 23 June by French-owned Arianespace from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana.
Source: Flight International
