SEOUL : Asia's space race is heating up with China's latest launch of its first lunar orbiter.

And neighbouring South Korea is working hard to catch up.

South Korea aims to be among the world's top 10 space powerhouses by 2015, but compared to its East Asian neighbours, China and Japan, it has made little impression so far.

To change that, Seoul has started building a space centre in Oenaru Island in South Jeolla province, a move it hopes will lay the technological and scientific groundwork for the country's space exploration programme.

The new centre is due to be ready next year, and it will house research facilities and a rocket launching pad.

Min Kyung Joo, Director of Naro Space Centre, says: "We started developing launchers about 50 years later than others, but with the launch of the satellite into orbit in the second half of next year, I believe we should be able to catch up quite quickly."

Next year's satellite launch will be the first conducted by South Korea from within the country.

To raise public awareness of space projects, South Korea will also send its first astronaut into space next year.

30-year-old computer scientist Ko San was selected from 36,000 candidates after a series of rigorous physical and mental tests.

He will go into orbit on board a rocket made jointly by South Korea and Russia.

During his one week in space, he will perform a dozen scientific experiments.

South Korea considers aerospace a vital growth industry, and since a year ago, it has allocated more than 3 per cent of the national research and development budget to space industry.

Seoul hopes such a hefty investment will propel the country into the big league of nations with advanced space programmes. - CNA/ch