More and improved South Korean space launchers can be developed following the removal of a restriction on solid-propellant motors agreed upon with the U.S. One result will be increasing the capability of the KSLV-2 launcher and undertaking a fully indigenous mission to the Moon, including a lander, according to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which runs the national space program. Another limit, on ballistic missile range, may also be removed, local media report. The confirmed change in agreed policy ends a restriction on the impulse of solid-propellant motors for civil space launchers. This has been 1 million lb.-sec. (4,400 kN-sec), says Kim Hyun-chong, the second deputy director of the National Security Office, announcing the revision. Dropping the limit opens the way for South Korean companies to develop in the space sector, Kim says, adding that the. country will also be able to launch reconnaissance satellites.
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