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Published: 11:58, August 05, 2022 | Updated: 15:47, August 05, 2022
S. Korea launches first lunar orbiter as space bid gathers pace
By Reuters
Published:11:58, August 05, 2022 Updated:15:47, August 05, 2022 By Reuters

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, or KPLO, lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Aug 4, 2022. (JOHN RAOUX / AP)

SEOUL - South Korea launched its first lunar orbiter on Friday as it doubles down on its space programs, aiming to land a probe on the moon by 2030.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, nicknamed Danuri, meaning "enjoy the Moon", was launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral US Space Force Station at 8:08 am on Friday (2308 GMT on Thursday), South Korea's science ministry said.

The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, nicknamed Danuri, meaning "enjoy the Moon", was launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral US Space Force Station at 8:08 am on Friday (2308 GMT on Thursday), South Korea's science ministry said

The 678 kg Danuri separated from the projectile about 40 minutes after launch and began communicating with a ground station around 9:40 am.

"Analysis of the received information confirmed ... Danuri was operating normally," Vice Science Minister Oh Tae-seog told a briefing, announcing that the orbiter had established a trajectory towards the moon.

It will enter the moon's orbit in December before starting a yearlong observation mission, including searching for a landing site and testing space internet technology, the ministry said.

ALSO READ: S. Korea's 2nd rocket launch puts satellites in orbit successfully

If it succeeds, South Korea will become the world's seventh lunar explorer and the fourth in Asia, behind China, Japan and India.

South Korea has been accelerating its space program, with the goal of sending a probe to the moon by 2030. It has also joined the Artemis project aimed at returning to the moon by 2024

The launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed because of a maintenance issue with the SpaceX rocket.

South Korea has been accelerating its space program, with the goal of sending a probe to the moon by 2030. It has also joined the Artemis project aimed at returning to the moon by 2024.

In July, South Korea held a second test launch of its domestically produced Nuri rocket and reported its first successful launch of a solid-fuel space-launch rocket in March as part of efforts to launch spy satellites. 

READ MORE: S.Korea's Moon vows 'Korea space age' after rocket test falters

South Korea says its space program is for peaceful and scientific purposes and any military use of the technology, such as in spy satellites, is for its defense.

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