South Korea has launched a commercial-grade satellite for the first time as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
In this photo released by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Nuri rocket lifts off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, Thursday, May 25, 2023. South Korea launched the commercial-grade satellite Thursday for the first time as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
South Korean officials planned to announce the results of the launch later Thursday. If successful, it would boost South Korea’s hopes of catching up with Asian neighbors such as China, Japan and India in a regional space race. Last year, South Korea used a Nuri rocket to place a “performance verification satellite" in orbit, becoming the world’s 10th nation to send a satellite into space with its own technology. But that launch was primarily designed to test the rocket.
South Korea already has missiles capable of reaching all of North Korea. But experts say it needs longer-range missiles to prepare for future security threats from potential adversaries China and Russia. “North Korea must be so concerned about the South Korean satellite launch Thursday because much of Kim Jong Un’s interest now is in possessing a spy satellite,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst for the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “He has a strong desire to launch a spy satellite before South Korea does.”
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