Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

South Korea's first rocket lifts off

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-25 16:16

SEOUL: South Korea's first space rocket blasted off on Tuesday carrying a scientific satellite in a launch likely to provide a major boost to its nascent space programme after relying on others to put its satellites in orbit.

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) or Naro-1, South Korea's first space rocket, is launched from its launch pad at the Naro Space Centre in Goheung, 485 km (301 miles) south of Seoul, August 25, 2009. [Agencies]

Related readings:  ROK gives rocket launch a second shot  ROK halts first rocket launch at last minute  Glitch halts South Korea 1st rocket launch  ROK aborts rocket launch minutes before liftoff ROK rocket launch bound to rile DPRK

The two-stage Naro-1 rocket measuring 33 metres (108 ft) long with a 100-kg (220.5-lb) payload lifted off from the country's space centre on its southern coast about 350 km (220 miles) from Seoul.