Current Launch Capability Development
South Korea decided to speed up development by joining with Russia, and cooperation began in 2004. KARI is now developing the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (also known as Naro), whose first-stage is based on the Angara rocket. First launch of the KSLV is expected in 2009. Russia is also helping to build the Korea Space Center, a spaceport in Goheung County.
A deal was also struck on October 24, 2005 to send a Korean into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spaceflight. Through the Korean Astronaut Program, Russia has trained two South Koreans and has sent one (Yi So-yeon) to the International Space Station in 2008.
Read more about this topic: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
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