The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has endorsed the launch of the Naro-1 rocket in October as planned.

Prior to the endorsement, the ministry held its fifth national space committee meeting on Thursday to review the details of the rocket, including the purpose of the launch and safety management and liability insurance coverage.

The second-stage of the rocket that will house a scientific research satellite will be built by South Korea and sent to the Naro Space Center near the end of the month or in early August. The first-stage of the Naro-1 will be built by Russia and shipped to the space center in August.

The country's first two attempts to fire the space rocket and satellite in August 2009 and June 2010 both failed. The third attempt will be the last under South Korea’s contract with Russia.