South Korean rocket fails to reach orbit on inaugural test flight

South Korea’s first domestically produced satellite launcher failed to reach orbit on its inaugural test flight Thursday. A preliminary review of data indicated the rocket’s third stage shut down early, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute said. The Nuri rocket lifted off from the Naro Space Center, built on an island nearly 300 miles (500 kilometers) south of Seoul at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT). Managers delayed the launch an hour to evaluate valves in the rocket, Korean officials said. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Oct 23)