South Korea's first satellite: lost in space

According to disheartening news out of Korea, the country's Aerospace Research Institute is reporting that they've lost contact with its first multipurpose satellite, the Arirang 1. The satellite, which was launched December 21st, 1999, is suspected of having encountered a mechanical malfunction or misalignment which would have affected power generation. "If the satellite loses proper alignment, its solar panels cannot generate power that is vital for the machine," said an "expert" -- which the source material suspiciously won't name -- which further reinforces our belief that the satellite was appropriated by an alien lifeform, for use in a bizarre mating ritual.

[Nick T @ Jan 6th 2008 11:08AM]

They're just saying that so they can use it to spy on us without anyone knowing ;)

N

[strider_mt2k @ Jan 6th 2008 11:13AM]

Yes yes, a sad loss.

In the meantime we'll just monitor these...unknown signals from...space.

Yeah yeah, space.

[Technex @ Jan 6th 2008 11:15AM]

"bizarre mating ritual"

Ummmmm?

[Blaktornado @ Jan 6th 2008 12:10PM]

So THAT'S what it was... My bad!

[Sharone @ Jan 6th 2008 12:37PM]

South Korea should just out-source their satellites to India. They seem to manage themselves quite well.

[disophisis @ Jan 6th 2008 12:44PM]

It was probably actually just a nuke disguised as a satellite and now we'll mysteriously be bombed!

[Chuck Hansen @ Jan 6th 2008 12:50PM]

Absurd.
It was probably actually just a nuke disguised as a satellite and now we'll mysteriously be bombed!

[Egfrow @ Jan 6th 2008 12:53PM]

Maybe the ChiComs got at it. They are feverishly pursuing and testing Anti-satellite technology. Could this have been a low key test. You know how the feel about South Korea.

[madgamer @ Jan 6th 2008 4:52PM]

Or even more likely, debris and garbage from blown up Chinese satellites crashed into it.

[Flavio @ Jan 6th 2008 1:18PM]

Stole by The Pirate Bay! A new Torrent tracker! All your base are belong to us!!!

Seriously, Don't these things carry emergency batteries?

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 6th 2008 2:05PM]

hahahhahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahah

[Modesto Kango @ Jan 7th 2008 1:56PM]

Who knew that Korea even HAD satellites?! NOT a comforting thought at all!

[jimster @ Jan 7th 2008 5:37PM]

are you kiddin? south korea pwns jOO!

[Nitewolfgtr @ Jan 7th 2008 2:05PM]

I think your misinterpreting the situation. Its North Korea that we should worried about and not the South Korea. Get your facts straight before making fun of asian countries.

[Amy @ Feb 6th 2008 10:45PM]

Yeah!