South Korean scientists envy China’s manned spaceflight efforts

Korean scientists and science policymakers say they are envious of the Chinese attempt, perhaps today, to put a man in orbit and are determined to spur Korea's space program. But they also recognize that a manned venture into space would require at least two decades of preparation. Choi Jong-bae, the director of the space and aeronautics division of the Ministry of Science and Technology, said resignedly, "We should recognize that we started late." South Korean efforts began only in 1986 with attempts to develop satellite technology. China has been working on space flight since 1958 at its space center in Jiuquan, a remote part of the Gobi Desert in Gansu province. The Shenzhou V manned flight is scheduled to blast off from there between today and Friday. China's official Xinhua News Agency says the flight will last 21 hours, or 14 orbits. The late start by Korea could also have some advantages, said Bang Hyo-choong of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. "We don't have to repeat the trials and errors of the pioneers," he commented. "The most important thing at present is the government's will to continue its investments in a space program." Korea now spends $100 million per year on its space program, the Science and Technology Ministry said, compared to China's $2 billion in annual funding. The program’s main thrust is indigenous satellites; Korea has no domestic rocket capable of putting satellites into orbit. A possible problem in developing one could be the Missile Technology Control Regime, an international effort to thwart the proliferation of offensive missiles. But that regime is not aimed at preventing the technology for peaceful purposes, Mr. Choi of the Ministry of Science said. "We want to be able to launch small satellites of about 1.5 tons from a domestic launch site," he said. "We are developing technology, but China has about a 10-year head start." Quoting James Oberg, a former official of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Houston, wire services said Shenzhou V's reentry would follow a path directly over North Korea, treating people there and in the South to a rare view. Shin Gi-jin of the Byulmaro Astronomical Observatory said the craft would be as bright as an average star during its nighttime orbits, and would transit the sky in about 20 seconds. by Moon So-young