The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, the country's first launch vehicle that will carry a satellite into orbit, will blast off into space on Aug. 11. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the final combustion test was completed last month in Russia and technicians in both countries have chosen Aug. 11 as the launch date.

The KSLV-1, also known as Naro, was originally scheduled to blast off on July 30. If the KSLV-1 succeeds in putting a Korean satellite into orbit, it would become the 10th country in the world to launch its own satellite.

◆ 900-Second Countdown

Lee Sang-mok, head of technological policies at the ministry, said the first-stage booster and the second stage of the rocket are being assembled. "Unless we experience severe weather conditions such as lightning and torrential downpours, the Naro will be launched on schedule," he added.

The Naro measures 33.5 m in length, 2.9 m in diameter and weighs 140 tons. The lower-stage, liquid-fueled booster rocket was developed by Russia's Khrunichev, while the solid-fueled upper stage rocket was developed by Korean scientists. It will carry a 100 kg satellite developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

The final decision on the launch will be made 18 to 15 minutes before blast-off. The 900-second countdown will begin when Cho Kwang-rae, head of booster research at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, pushes the launch button. "During the 900 seconds, the countdown will proceed automatically according to a pre-developed program," Cho said. But the launch could be scrapped at any point in the countdown if problems are detected.

The mission of the upper stage of the rocket is to put a satellite into orbit. It ignites the solid fuel and lifts the satellite to a predetermined altitude and then separates from the satellite about 540 seconds after blast-off. The satellite will communicate with KAIST around 13 hours after launch.

South Korea has developed a wide range of commercial satellites, including the multi-purpose satellites Arirang or the Mugunghwa. But they had all been put into orbit aboard American or Russian rockets. This will be the first time a Korea-developed rocket is used.

This is not a commercial satellite but fitted with cutting-edge meteorological research equipment, using electronic frequencies to conduct tests on the earth's atmosphere and gauge humidity levels in clouds and water vapor in the atmosphere. It will also be the first Korean satellite to carry laser reflecting mirrors, so that it can accurately measure the distance between itself and the earth. The equipment will be used to forecast seismic activities.

◆ 30% Chance of Success

A total of W502.5 billion (US$1=W1,229) was spent since 2002 to develop the Naro. If the costs to develop the Naro Space Center in Goheung (W320 billion) and the satellite (W13.6 billion) are included, the total rises to W836 billion. A failed launch could result in an astronomical waste of money.

Rocket launches have very low rates of success at just 30 percent. And first launches have only a 27 percent chance of success. Excluding Iran, which has not revealed data about its rocket launch, Russia, France and Israel are among eight countries in the world that have succeeded in their first launches of indigenous rockets. The United States failed in its first rocket launch, and Japan failed four times.

If the Aug. 11 launch of the Naro fails, another launch is scheduled in April 2010 using the same launch vehicle.

Already the launch has been postponed five times until now -- at the end of 2007, end of 2008, the second quarter of 2009 and July 30 and Aug.11, due to Russia's refusal to transfer technology or problems in getting hold of components.