The launch comes as South Korea accelerates its space program, seeking to send a

probe to the moon by 2030 and join nine countries working on the Artemis project
aimed at returning to the moon by 2024.

In July, South Korea successfully held a second test launch of its domestically
produced Nuri rocket, and reported its first successful launch of a solid-fuel space-
launch rocket in March as part of efforts to launch spy satellites.

The 678 kg (1,495 lb) Danuri will be separated from the projectile about 40 minutes
after launch, and it should begin communicating with a ground station within 60
minutes.

It will enter the moon's orbit in December before starting a yearlong observation
mission, including searching for a landing site and testing space internet technology,
the ministry said.

Space launches have long been a sensitive issue on the Korean peninsula, where North
Korea faces international sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile program.

In March, North Korea called for expanding its space rocket launch site to advance its
space ambitions, after South Korea and the United States accused it of testing a new
intercontinental ballistic missile under the