GOHEUNG, South Korea — South Korea launched its first rocket Tuesday, just months after rival North Korea's launch drew international anger, but space officials said the satellite it carried failed to enter its intended orbit.
A Science Ministry statement called the launch a "partial success," as the satellite separated from the rocket normally before entering a different orbit.
The launch could boost South Korea's space ambitions, but the North warned it would keep a close eye on the international response. There was no immediate comment from North Korea.
The two-stage Naro rocket lifted off about 3 a.m. CDT Tuesday from South Korea's space center on Oenaro Island.
It was South Korea's first launch of a rocket from its own territory. Since 1992, it has launched 11 satellites, all on foreign-made rockets sent from overseas sites.
The rocket, built with Russian help, was carrying a domestically built satellite aimed at observing the atmosphere and oceans.
Front Section, Pages 6 on 08/26/2009