Gov't asks public to name first space rocket

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Feb. 22 (Yonhap) -- The government said Sunday it will ask the general
public to help it name South Korea's first indigenously launched space rocket.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said people can click onto to
its Web site (www.kslv.or.kr) from this Monday through March 31 to submit names
that will best suit the rocket.
Seoul has spent a total of 502.5 billion won (US$333.4 million) from 2002 on the
building of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) that is expected to be
launched in the second half of this year. The country has built the Naro Space
Center in southwest part of the country in preparation for the launch.
"The open contest could help boost hopes and highlight the aspirations of the
people ahead of the historic launch," a ministry official said.
He said the name should reflect the image of the rocket and significance of the
launch, as well as being simple and easy to remember.
The winner of the contest, to be announced on April 16, will receive a cash prize
of 3 million won.
The two-stage rocket being built jointly by the state-run Korea Aerospace
Research Institute (KARI) and Russia's space agency can send a 100 kilogram
payload into low Earth orbit.
The rocket weighs 140 tons fully loaded with fuel and measures 33 meters in
height with a diameter of 2.9 meters. The first-stage main booster, made by
Russia, posses 170 tons of thrust while the second-stage rockets manufactured by
KARI possess seven tons of thrust capability.
The nose faring that will house a small locally-made satellite was also made in
Korea.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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