Seoul joins the global space club as it puts first satellite into orbit

South Korea launched a satellite into space from its own soil for the first time yesterday, a point of national pride that came weeks after arch-rival North Korea accomplished a similar feat to the surprise of the world.

The 140-tonne Korea Space Launch Vehicle blasted off from the Naro Space Centre in Goheung county on the south coast, reaching its target altitude nine minutes later and deploying its payload satellite. A positive outcome after successive failures in 2009 and 2010 was critical to ensuring the future of South Korea's launch programme and realising its ambition of joining an elite global space club.

"After analysing various data, the Naro rocket successfully put the science satellite into designated orbit," said Science Minister Lee Ju-ho. "This is the success of all our people," he said.

Initially scheduled for October 26, yesterday's launch had twice been postponed for technical reasons. The delay meant that rival North Korea was able to claim a rare technological victory over the South by launching a satellite into orbit on a three-stage rocket on December 12.

South Korea was a late entrant to the high-cost world of space technology and exploration. Its repeated failures had raised questions over the feasibility of the country's launch programme.

"This success has put the country's entire rocketry programme back on track," said independent space analyst Morris Jones. "They were under enormous pressure, given the earlier failures and the North's success last month, and this will give them confidence and, of course, secure critical political and financial support."