South Korea Makes First Successful Space Launch

Voice of America ^ | January 30, 2013 | Steve Herman

[JerseyanExile]

South Korea for the first time has successfully sent a satellite into space from its own soil, joining an exclusive club that only 12 other nations in history have entered.

South Korea failed previously to achieve a flawless launch, allowing impoverished North Korea to beat its rival into space.

During South Korean launches in 2009 and 2010, the protective barrier around the payload failed to separate properly from the rocket.

This time all appeared to go according to plan after the KSLV-1, with a Russian first stage, lifted off from the Naro Space Center, 480 kilometers south of Seoul.

Its payload is practically symbolic: a 100-kilogram satellite with a projected one-year life span containing an experimental oscillator that emits ultra short laser pulses.

South Korea's science minister, Lee Ju-ho, says the satellite is now in orbit.

Lee declares the mission a success. He says the previous two attempts were not a discouragement, but rather increased motivation that led to the success of the third launch.

Officials say they expect to confirm early Thursday Asia time whether the satellite is fully functioning.

This launch comes less than two months after rival North Korea placed a satellite into orbit.

[driftdiver]

At least they arent working on nukes.

[gaijin]

Take YOUR pick:

1. First in space, nightly tree-bark soup

2. 2nd in space, bulkogi every day

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Republic of Korea, our ally since 1945, had to use a Russian rocket to launch their first satellite? What's wrong, not enough Muslims in Seoul? There's a mosque there, I've seen it...

[2ndDivisionVet]

They could have a nuclear weapon in about a month, as could Japan. In many ways they are more technologically advanced than we are.

[driftdiver]

I have in-laws there. I know their cell phone and internet networks are better than ours.

Heck about 6 years ago we got a ticket by a pretty SK cop. She did the whole thing on her phone, including having the ticket signed. The apps they have were far above what we had at the time.

[driftdiver]

There is also a christian church with a million members.

[roadcat]

In many ways they are more technologically advanced than we are.

Look at their pluses. Great schools and push on learning real skills, family stability and teaching kids not to shame the family, and a leader looking out for their best interests. Just one of those items (Obama) is why we're falling behind, let alone all three items not in our favor.

[billorites]

"Look at their pluses. Great schools and push on learning real skills..."

Yeah, and it doesn't hurt either when everyone in the place is named Kim.

Brings an economy of scale to the society that we can't begin to approach.

[smokingfrog]

Was there a monkey onboard?

[billorites]

"They could have a nuclear weapon in about a month, as could Japan. In many ways they are more technologically advanced than we are."

The Koreans could sell you a nuke cheaper than any other vendor.

Plus, they'd offer a 60 month service contract.

For five years you'd pay nothing except for tires, wiper blades, maybe a little tritium...

[billorites]

"Was there a monkey onboard?"

My father asked me that when I returned from my honeymoon over thirty years ago. I've never understood why.

Always figured it was some Skull & Bones thing.

[2ndDivisionVet]

They were still semi-third world when I was stationed there (1978-79 and 1981-82) but had come a long way from the war’s desolation and devastation and already had shipyards and factories humming right along.

[Lazamataz]

There’s ALWAYS a monkey on board.

No matter if there is or isn’t.

It *IS* on board. Always.

[GeronL]

awesome

[The Antiyuppie]

Ha, ha - WE use Russian-designed rocket engines to launch OUR stuff!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RD-180

It’s a relatively cheap and proven design.