Since 2012, Rockwell Automation Korea has been involved in building and operating the control systems including the burner test, turbo pump test and engine test facilities at the propulsion system test complex (PSTC) for the Korean space launch vehicle Nuri.
The comprehensive combustion tests carried out at the PSTC are the most important tests to determine Nuri’s third space launch, because all propulsion systems such as engines, tanks, pipes are combined to check each system for performance.
Rockwell Automation has accumulated experience in building and operating multiple test facilities, and the results of the tests have proved its competence, shared Dongki Kim, a senior researcher at Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) involved in the project. “We consider Rockwell Automation as the best partner in terms of reliability, accuracy, and heritage,” he added.
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Engineers from Rockwell Automation Korea designed and built control systems and developed programs for more reliable engine testing and propulsion systems.
As testing facilities were located a long distance away from the control tower, a control and instrumentation (C&I) room was established to monitor combustion tests remotely. The team from Rockwell Automation introduced an emergency stop system with maintenance services to help deliver greater reliability of the control system by simulating unexpected emergency events and various combustion test situations.
We also offered pre-test training to the operators in the facility through simulation programs in various modes to help avoid unintentional human errors. “Rockwell Automation Korea helped us to build and operate highly complex control facilities with multi-mode, high-speed control and remote-control capabilities, and provided us engineering technologies to solve issues quickly and accurately in unusual situations,” said Kim.
All of the hard work resulted in the successful third launch of Nuri.
Published November 15, 2023
