Thu, Aug 27, 2009
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.
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