Seoul (AFP)

The rocket "Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle II", nicknamed "Nuri", will attempt to put a dummy cargo of a ton and a half into orbit from the Goheung launch pad, aiming at an altitude of 600 to 800 kilometers.

It took about ten years to develop the three-stage rocket, at a cost of 2,000 billion won (US $ 2.18 billion).

With its six liquid fuel engines, it weighs 200 tonnes and is 47.2 meters long.

South Korea is the 12th largest economy in the world and one of the most technologically advanced countries, notably with its flagship Samsung Electronics, the largest manufacturer of smartphones and chips in the world.

But it always lagged behind in the conquest of space, where the Soviet Union led the way with the launch of the first satellite in 1957, followed closely by the United States.

In Asia, China, Japan and India have developed advanced space programs, and North Korea is the latest to join the club of countries capable of launching a satellite.

Photo released on October 20 by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute of the Nuri rocket transported to its launch pad at Goheung Lee Hyo-kyun Korea Aerospace Research Institute / AFP

The same technology is used for ballistic missiles and space rockets.

Pyongyang put a 300 kg satellite into orbit in 2012, which Western countries condemned as a disguised missile test.

Today, only six countries have successfully launched a payload of over a ton on their rockets.

Look to the moon

But the South Korean space program shows mixed results: its first two launches, in 2009 and 2010, which used Russian technology, were unsuccessful.

The second rocket had exploded after two minutes of flight, Seoul and Moscow blaming each other.

Eventually, the country successfully launched in 2013, still relying on engines developed in Russia.

Photo released on October 20 by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute of the Nuri rocket transported to its launch pad at Goheung Handout Korea Aerospace Research Institute / AFP

The satellite launch business is increasingly the business of private companies, including Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has US space agency NASA and the South Korean military among its clients.

But a success of Nuri would offer South Korea an "infinite" potential, estimates one expert.

"Rockets are the only available means for humanity to get to space," Lee Sang-ryul, director of the Korea Institute for Aerospace Studies, told local newspaper Chosun Biz.

"Having such technology means that we have fulfilled the basic conditions to join this space exploration competition."

Thursday's launch is a milestone in South Korea's ambitious space program, with the goal announced in March by President Moon Jae-in of launching a lunar orbiter next year.

"Thanks to the achievements of South Korean rocket systems, the government will pursue an active program of space exploration," said the head of state.

"We will realize the dream of landing our probe on the Moon by 2030".

© 2021 AFP