The main booster for the Naro-1 rocket has arrived at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. The Naro will be the nation's second attempt to launch its first satellite into space.

The rocket, which arrived from Russia via plane on Monday, is the same type that was used when the nation launched its Naro rocket last year. The engine is around 26 meters long, has a diameter of some three meters and has a 170-ton engine.

The launch of the Naro is expected to take place as early as the beginning of June given that efforts to assemble the rocket are likely to take around two months.

Meanwhile, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute has carried out tests to guarantee the correct separation of fairings covering the satellite. The incorrect separation of a fairing was what doomed the launch of the Naro last August.

Preparations to launch the Naro are likely to speed up when the satellite that will be put into orbit aboard the Naro arrives at the space center later this week.