Indigenous Rocket to Be Used for Satellite Launch on Aug. 11

After a delay last month due to technical problems, South Korea will launch its first satellite from its territory on Aug. 11, Yonhap News reported Saturday.

South Korea had originally planned to lift off the KSLV-1, a communications satellite, on July 30 but it was suspended as Russia asked for more time to upgrade the test control and evaluation programs needed for the critical test.

The new launch date was set after consultations with Russian scientists who are cooperating with South Korea on the launch, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said.

The ministry set a window of Aug. 11-18 for the launch, in case unexpected conditions require a change in plans.

South Korea has never launched a rocket before from its soil. The country is working with Russia to acquire technology and expertise that could allow it to send home-made satellites into orbit in the future.