The government will launch a satellite from a local space center for the first time next year.

The science satellite will be launched from the Naro Space Center in Oenaro Island, South Jeolla Province.

The government says that a successful launch would make the satellite the nation's first to be manufactured and launched locally. The nation would then join an exclusive club of countries including Russia, the U.S., Britain, Japan, India, France, China and Israel that have developed, produced and launched their own satellites.

Seoul is planning to inject a total of 112 billion won into its space program - 51 billion won for the space center and 61 billion won for launch vehicle development.