Today in Space: S. Korean Rocket Blows Up, Japanese Craft Spreads a Solar Sail

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By Andrew Moseman
Jun 10, 2010 9:39 PMNov 20, 2019 4:18 AM
JAXASolarSail.jpg

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South Korea's attempt to jump into the space race met with disaster today. A little more than two minutes after takeoff today, the nation's Naro rocket exploded. It had been carrying a satellite, and South Korea was vying to become the tenth country to put a satellite in orbit with rockets assembled at home.

South Korea has invested more than 500 billion won (400 million dollars) and much national pride in the 140-ton Naro-1. The liquid-fuelled first stage of the rocket was made in Russia, while the second stage was built domestically, as was the satellite [AFP].

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