On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin, an astronaut of the Soviet Union, took the spaceship Vostok and safely came back after going round the earth in one hour and 48 minutes and thus became the first man in the world to fly in the space.

His successful space flight marked an event that opened up a bright prospect for conquering the space, humankind's long-cherished desire, the article notes, and goes on:

Space development at present is an essential work for the development and prosperity of countries and nations.

The DPRK striving to build a powerful socialist country has steadily pushed forward projects for conquering the space despite all sorts of obstructions of the hostile forces including the U.S. and proudly ranked itself among space powers as a satellite manufacturer and launcher.

Last year alone, it succeeded in the ground jet test of new type high-thrust engine for a geo-stationary satellite carrier rocket in the wake of successful launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 and thus provided a solid foundation to rapidly develop the nation's space science and technology.

This year, the DPRK succeeded in its first ground jet test of high-thrust engine newly studied and manufactured in Korean style and thus laid a sci-tech foundation to match the world-level satellite carrier capability.

Putting spurs to the implementation of its five-year plan for national space development, the DPRK has made more rapid progress in space development and will register more spectacular successes in this respect.

The space will bring greater well-being to mankind as it is making sustained efforts to conquer the space with the desire to make steady progress and a leap forward.