Faulty fairing separation caused the failure of South Korea’s first attempt at launching a satellite, officials say. Another attempt is planned for April, using a rocket of the same KSLV-1 design. The Russian-supplied first stage of the KSLV-1 appears to have worked flawlessly, but one of two fairings enclosing the satellite atop the South Korean second stage failed to drop off. The mass of that fairing, greater than that of the 100 kg. satellite, upset the stabilization and navigation systems.

Asia/Pacific budget airline group Jetstar has declared China as a focus for its growth plans. The Singaporean member of the Jetstar group, Jetstar Asia, will fly between Singapore and Haikou, capital of the Chinese island province Hainan, four times a week. “Mainland China has immense potential for Jetstar’s low fares offering and the broader Jetstar Group network connections,” says Jetstar Asia CEO Chong Phit Lian.

International services, and two routes in particular, are mainly responsible for the drop in profit at Qantas Airways, said CEO Alan Joyce. “Los Angeles and London routes were the biggest issue,” said Joyce, explaining the airline’s drastic drop in profit to A$123 million for 12 months to June 30 from A$969 million a year before. When Qantas’ results were issued last week, it was clear that budget offshoot Jetstar and the group’s frequent flyer program had kept the company in the black, offsetting losses in Qantas’ mainline operations.