S Korea to conduct 1st launch of commercial-grade satellite

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea plans to conduct its first launch of a commercial-grade satellite aboard a domestically built rocket next month as part of its space development program. The Science Ministry said Tuesday the launch of the Nuri rocket is set for May 24. Last year, the rocket successfully launched a “performance verification” satellite designed to examine the rocket’s capacity. Next month’s launch is meant to put a commercial-grade satellite into orbit for the first time. Some experts say the development of such rockets would eventually help South Korea acquire technologies for bigger missiles and reconnaissance satellites amid animosities with rival North Korea.