South Korean defence officials say the main body of the rocket has now been moved to the launch site in preparation.

BBC: Obama warns North Korea against missile test launch

Russia will need a new rocket to get to Mars, though, and a new launch site to operate manned flights as early as in 2018.

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But officials said Wednesday's launch from the site 480km (298 miles) south of Seoul had gone as planned and that the rocket had reached its target altitude and deployed its satellite.

BBC: South Korea launches space rocket carrying satellite