[Satellite TODAY 08-26-09] The launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (Naro), South Korea’s first rocket, failed to deliver its payload – the Korean Science and Technology Satellite 2 (KSTS 2) – into its intended orbit, Korean officials announced Aug. 25.
    The cause of the failure was not immediately known. The satellite, which was jointly developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and Russia’s Khrunichev space production center to study oceanic and atmospheric changes in climate, landed in the Pacific Ocean early this morning.
    “All aspects of the launch were normal, but the satellite exceeded its planned orbit and reached an altitude of 360 kilometers,” said Ahn Byung-man, Korea’s Minister of Science and Technology in a statement to Korean press officials. “The satellite was intended to separate at about 302 kilometers.”

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