S. Korea holds successful launch of Naro-1 rocket
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E-mail CNTV, January 31, 2013
The Republic of Korea finally did it this time. The Naro-1 rocket has successfully lifted off and its satellite has entered into orbit. Now the country needs to wait until the satellite sends its first signal from space about 13 hours after the launch.
A patriotic moment for Koreans watching. At the Goheung Space Launch Observatory, as the Naro-1 came into vision, the 3,000 people who gathered from across the nation just to witness the launch in person, cheered away.
It was a long-awaited moment, after two failed launches in the past. Koreans, young and old, danced away along to the tunes of Gangnam Style.
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A staff member watches the live broadcast of Naro launching in News Center of Winter special Olympics in Pyongchang, South Korea, on Jan. 30, 2013. |
Shin So-Im, Goheung resident, said, "I am so happy the rocket was launched from Go-heung. Very very happy. Come and visit my home, Goheung!"
Kim Hyeong-Ok, Gwangju resident, said, "I am so delighted that the Naro launch was a success. I hope all Koreans work together to develop our space technology further."
Park Eun-Kyoung, Gwangju resident, said, "It took me three hours to get here. I am so happy the third launch was successful. This is a meaningful moment when Korea steps up to become a global science power."
The Minister of Education, Science and Technology was all smiles when delivering the news to the press.
He said, "The Naro rocket was launched successfully at 4pm, and the satellite was separated 540 seconds after the launch. Upon analyzing various data, I officially announce that the Naro Science and Technology Satellite has entered into orbit, and the launch was a success."
Korea announced that the "Naro Science and Technology Satellite-2C" sent its first beacon signal to a Norwegian base station for 10 minutes since 5:26pm, which means the satellite has entered into its planned orbit.
It's an atmosphere of excitement here in Goheung. But the moment of total relief hasn't come yet. Because the success of the Naro project can only be declared once the satellite exchanges signals with Korea 12 hours after the launch, which is at approximately 3:30 in the morning. But it's an atmosphere of excitement here in Goheung nonetheless.
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