North and South Koreas Planning Launches

Both North Korea and South Korea are planning what appears to be orbital space launches this month and next in what appears to be a space and rocket technology race between the divided Koreas.

Media reports that North Korea has commenced the development of a long-range missile to launch from the Dongchang-ni site on North Korea's west coast in the next few weeks. The rocket may be a version of the Taepodong-2 capable of a 4,000 mile range or perhaps orbit. A proported satellite launch last April by the North Koreans appeared to the outside world to be a failure. North Korea has been exporting rocket technology to Iran and Pakistan according to The Times of India.

Meanwhile, South Korea is planning an orbital space launch July 30 from the Naro Space Centre in Goheung situated about 300-miles south of south of Seoul. The first stage booster (Angara UM) and the launch pad were designed by Russian engineers while the second stages and satellite are designed and built by South Koreans. The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) [foto above] stands 108 feet tall, according to media reports.