The Small SAR Technology Experimental Payload (S-STEP), a 100 kg Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite owned by Hanwha Systems, was launched into a 650 km Sun-synchronous orbit by the maiden flight of South Korea’s new solid rocket called TLV (Test Launch Vehicle). TLV lifted off from a sea launch pad located in the waters off Yerae-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, on 4 December at 0500 GMT. The launch was operated by the South Korean Ministry of National Defence (MND).
The standard TLV rocket notionally consists of three solid rocket stages plus a liquid upper stage. In this case, however, the standard second stage was left off this “TV-2” version of the rocket and the standard third stage in effect became “Stage 2”.
The maiden flight of South Korea’s TLV solid rocket from its sea launch pad. Courtesy: Yonhap
