South Korea Satellite Launch Fails To Reach Correct Orbit

South Korea launched its first rocket into space today but the mission which was to put a satellite into a specific orbit, failed. The satellite did not reach the intended orbit South Korean officials said.

The launch vehicle named, Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 blasted off early Tuesday as millions watched it live on TV and thousands watched at the launch site.

"The satellite exceeded its planned orbit and reached an altitude of 360 kilometers rather than separating from the rocket as anticipated at 302 kilometers above the Earth", said Education and Science Minister Ahn Byong-man.

Issues that caused the satellite to miss its orbit is still being reviewed but they are still chalking the mission up has partially successful as the rocket did perform as planned.

Launch Vehicle 1 has been in production since 2002 and South Korea hasnspent nearly $500 million USD on the project. The first stage of then108 foot rocket was built by Russia and the second stage was built by local engineers in South Korea.