South Korea Launches First Rocket Into Orbit; Satellite Launch Fails

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South Korea today launched its first rocket into orbit, carrying an observation satellite, raising hopes of becoming yet another powerful Asian space nation.  However, the satellite launch failed, dampening hopes of South Korea entering the Asian space race.

The two-stage KSLV-I rocket was supposed to launch into orbit carrying a South Korean-made satellite that was to study the oceans and Earth’s atmosphere.

The country, which has launched 11 satellites in 17 years from overseas launch sites, originally planned to launch on July 30, but the launch was delayed several times related to technical issues.  The launch was delayed last week because of “an unspecified problem,” and it turns out not all technical issues were fixed.

In 2001, South Korea agreed to an international agreement that limits the full range of all ballistic missile launches, but a loophole may provide a method for the country to easily transition to a ballistic missile launch.

South Korea continues to expand its cruise missile program, and wants to renegotiate terms of its 2001 agreement that caps its ballistic missile range.  Space observers note South Korea has matured its space program in a more open, transparent manner than North Korea, China and other space nations.

North Korea, a fierce rival and military adversary, watched the rocket launch closely, as there is a concern it could be a disguised test for possible space-based missile launches.  Even though the satellite launch wasn’t successful, North Korea may still be upset about the launch.

North Korea launched its first rocket in May, a move that caused the country to undergo sanctions from the United Kingdom.  The government faced international pressure from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and several western nations, who said NK’s rocket launch was a coverup to test future military-based missile launches.  North Korea’s multistage rocket is powerful enough to reportedly reach the west coast of the U.S.

Japan, China and India also have seen recent success with their space programs, with some space experts predicting China to be the next country to launch a manned mission to the moon.  Each nation has plans for both manned and unmanned missions to the moon, as Japan plans to launch a moon probe by 2020.

admin @ August 25, 2009