spacetoday.net: South Korean launch postponed

Posted: Wed, Jun 9, 2010, 7:55 AM ET (1155 GMT)
KSLV on pad for 2nd launch (KARI)

The launch of a South Korean rocket was scrubbed Wednesday because of a problem at the launch pad. The KSLV-1 rocket, also known as Naro-1, was scheduled to launch a demonstration satellite Wednesday, but about three hours before liftoff the fire extinguisher system at the launch pad went off, spreading chemicals around the rocket. The cause of the problem isn't known, and no new launch date has been announced. Officials said that it may be necessary to take the rocket off the pad to make sure none of the vehicle's components were affected by the fire retardant chemicals. The launch would be the second for the KSLV-1; its inaugural launch in 2009 failed to place a satellite in orbit when the rocket's payload fairing failed to separate.