Korea Takes First Step Toward Exploring Outer World

South Korea has emerged as the world's 13th country to operate a space center. The nation opened its first such center Thursday to place satellites in orbit and develop its own rocket technology. The opening has laid the ground for Korea's joining in the space race with advanced countries such as the U.S., Russia and Japan.

The Naro Space Center on the southern coast will serve as a Mecca for the country's rocket development and space exploration program. Local companies have completed the construction of the center by introducing Russian design and technology since they broke ground December 2000.

The three key elements of space exploration are a space center, satellites and rockets. The country has succeeded in localizing 80 percent of Russian technology for building the Naro Space Center. That is, it has made significant technological breakthroughs in a short period. It only took the country 19 months to build a launch pad, a shorter period than world-renowned experts expected.

South Korea has already developed advanced technology for assembling satellites. It has produced 11 satellites since 1992. But all were launched at other countries' space centers. Now, the country plans to launch the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-1), or Naro-1, rocket from the just-built space center on July 30 to place a scientific research satellite in orbit. The rocket was co-developed with the help of Russia.

A successful launch of the rocket will help South Korea join the so-called space club of countries operating space centers and sending satellites into orbit with their own rockets. The nation plans to launch its second KSLV-1 rocket next April. It also seeks to develop new rockets by using its own technology, and plans to launch a Moon survey satellite in 2020 and a lunar landing explorer in 2025.

But, South Korea has a long way to go before becoming a real space power. Its rocket technology is still at the incipient stage. Thus, it is imperative for the nation to step up cooperation between the government, research institutes and corporations in developing up-to-date technology for rockets.