Payload Was Boosted 38 Miles Too High

A week after South Korea's first space launch was scrubbed at the last minute, Space Launch Vehicle-1 lifted off from the Naro Space Center at 1700 local time Tuesday. But while the rocket performed as expected, the satellite was placed in an orbit that is higher than planned.

Officials said the launch was a "partial success."

The international news service AFT reports the Russian-made first stage separated successfully less than 5 minutes after launch, but it is still unclear why the scientific research satellite parked in the wrong orbit. Science and Technology Minister Ahn Byong-Man said "all aspects of the launch were normal, but the satellite exceeded its planned orbit and reached an altitude 225 miles." The planned orbit was 187 miles

Lee Joo-Jin,head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, told reporters it was too early to say whether the space center would be able to communicate with the satellite.

North Korea was censured 5 months ago for a launch they said was a satellite but which U.S. and other officials said was a disguised test launch of a Taepodong-2 missile. No satellite was detected following the North Korean launch. AFP reports the U.S. State Department said the South Koreans had developed their space program transparently, in keeping with international agreements.

South Korea has sent 10 satellites into orbit using launch facilities in other countries. They have invested over $400 million into a domestic space program, and AFP reports were visibly disappointed at this setback.

FMI: http://park.org/Korea/Pavilions/PublicPavilions/Government/most/index.html