First South Korean Launched into Orbit
4/9/2008 7:52:00 AM
CHAN:
South Korea celebrates a historic moment as it sends their first astronaut to space travelling in Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.
STORY:
This Tuesday South Korea sent the country's first astronaut, Yi So-yeon, to space onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. Big screen televisions were set up in front of City Hall where thousands gathered there to watch the space launch. Everyone cheered and clapped after the successful launch.
South Korea's new president, Lee Myung-bak, pledged to boost the space science and development.
[Lee Myung-bak, South Korean President]:
“Now we have a new dream. We have finally opened an era of space science and we are aiming to become one of the strongest countries in space development after ten years.”
South Korean citizens were excited about the country launching one of its own into space.
[Jo Jae-young, Citizen]:
“As a member of South Korea, I'm expecting a lot. Also as a woman, I am so proud of the female astronaut and I think she's amazing.”
[Lee Hyuck-jae, Citizen]:
“I hope this brings a momentum to make our country to develop space science deeply so that we can step closer toward a space development.”
Yi So-yeon is one of the female astronauts. She is a 29-year-old nanotechnology engineer. Her journey to the International Space Station began alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko.
Originally, Yi was a reserve candidate for the flight. But the original pilot Ko San was accused of removing sensitive documents from a training center, and was replaced by Yi. The South Korean government paid Russia about 25 million U.S. Dollars for the right to send the first Korean into space.
Along with her Russian colleagues, Yi will conduct scientific experiments at the International Space Station during her 11-day mission.
