South Korea moved one step closer toward space exploration with the emergence of its first astronaut this week and has finished building the upper portion of its first space rocket, which is to carry a satellite into orbit in December.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has built the top section of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV)-I with its own workforce. The rocket is expected to launch a satellite weighing 100 kilograms into low earth orbit.

Space Korea

‘Space Korea’ is South Korea’s ambitious space development project, announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology in March 2005. The key points of the project include the nurturing of astronauts, development of launchers with Korean technologies, establishment of a space center, and independent launch of rockets in 2007. It is needless to say that the government’s systematic support through the enactment of a space development promotion law is an integral part of the project. The nurturing of an astronaut and launch of rockets are 1-2 years behind schedule, but are steadily underway. A 300 ton-class launcher will be developed with local technologies by 2017 and the space craft will be launched to the moon by 2025.

Launcher

Space development consists of satellites, launchers, and a space center including launch pad and control center. The core of space development, however, is the development of a launch vehicle or rocket. South Korea can now develop a satellite with its own technologies. However, the satellites have so far been carried on foreign-launched rockets. At present, only eight countries have the capability of launching their own satellites. In this sense, a country is eligible to join the so-called “space club” only when it can develop a launch vehicle.

KSLV

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) is the core of the Space Korea project. Under the agreement with Russia, Korea has been developing a launch vehicle, KSLV-I. The nation is expected to complete its own development of a launcher in 2017, when it becomes a space giant in a genuine sense of the word.

KSLV-I

The rocket is comprised of two parts. The long, lower assembly contains the liquid-fuelled propulsion system. It is being built in Russia and is to be delivered to the launch pad at the new Naro Space Center on the southwestern island Oinarudo in October. The smaller, upper part to house the satellite has successfully been designed, constructed, tested and assembled by South Korea.

	Dimensions of KSLV-I
	Total weight Length Diameter Payload Propulsion 140 tons 33 meters 2.9 meters 100 kg 170-ton class

	World’s Space Development Race
	Countries having manned spacecraft Russia, USA, and China Countries capable of launching satellites Russia, USA, Ukraine, EU, Israel, India, Japan and China South Korea’s advancement in space development - Satellite: on a par with advanced countries (ranking 6th-7th in the world in terms of earth observation satellite) - Launch vehicle: Upper part of a launcher has been developed with its own technologies - Astronaut: Korea is the 36th nation in the world to launch an astronaut. - Rocket launch: South Korea will become the world’s 9th rocket-launching country with the launch of KSLV-I in December 2008.

Future of Space Korea

The nation is now close to the space era with Lee So-yeon flying to the International Space Station and satellite launches, but has yet to undertake a key task—development of the lower stage of a rocket. Local scientists and engineers are working to realize the dream at the Naro Space Center.