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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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South Korea Launches Space Rocket

First attempt from own soil; satellite aboard fails to reach orbit

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(AP) – South Korea's first rocket blasted off into space today following an aborted attempt last week and just months after its rival North Korea drew international ire for its own launch. A problem quickly surfaced, however, when the satellite the rocket was carrying apparently failed to enter its intended orbit.  South Korean and Russian scientists are said to be looking into the problem.

The launch of the two-stage Naro rocket could boost the country's space ambition but the North warned it would keep a close eye on the international response to Seoul's launch. South Korea initially planned to launch the rocket in late July but delayed it several times due to technical glitches. It is South Korea's first launch of a rocket from its own territory. Since 1992, it has launched 11 satellites, all on foreign-made rockets sent from overseas sites.

South Korean students cheer the South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 taking off at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.
South Korean students cheer the South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 taking off at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.   (Lee Jin-man)
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.   (Bae Jae-man)
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.   (Choi Jae-koo)
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2009.
The South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2009.   (Bae Jae-man)
South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, the country's first space rocket, leaves a smoke trail after launching off from the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.
South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, the country's first space rocket, leaves a smoke trail after launching off from the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.   ((AP Photo/Korea Pool) **KOREA OUT)
South Koreans cheer while watching the launch of South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, the country's first space rocket, at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.
South Koreans cheer while watching the launch of South Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, the country's first space rocket, at the Naro Space Center, at a beach in Goheung, South Korea, Tuesday.   (Lee Jin-man)
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xomko
Aug 25, 09 9:45 AM CDT
So in order to succeed, I guess you do have to be a rocket scientist. Reply
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sully4411
Aug 25, 09 10:19 AM CDT
this should go on a fail-blog Reply
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