KSLV Launch Update
One of the leaders in the "Asian Space Race" suffered a loss today. The news via the BBC…
The Korea Space Launch Vehicle 1 is thought to have blown up 137 seconds after take-off, said science minister Ahn Byong-man.
The rocket lifted off from Goheung’s Naro Space Centre at 1701 (0801 GMT).
But contact was lost as the rocket reached an altitude of 70 kilometres (44 miles).
"Looking from the bright flash seen on the camera mounted on the tip of the rocket, it appears [the KSLV-1] exploded in flight during the first-stage ignition," said Mr Ahn.
Pictures on South Korean television appear to show the rocket’s final moments, with the cameras following a white speck on its downward trajectory into the sea.
