Feb. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Yi Soyeon endured eight months of physical, psychological, scientific and language testing, some of it televised, for South Korea. The reward: She is one of two finalists, out of 36,206 candidates, to be her country's first astronaut.

Yi, 28, a doctoral student in biosystems, and Ko San, 30, a researcher in artificial intelligence, will spend a year at a training center near Moscow before the winner boards a Soyuz flight to the International Space Station in April 2008.

``I am a newborn baby in the science and technology industry,'' Yi said during an air force reception last month in eastern Gyeryongdae city. ``But I hope South Korea's space industry gets momentum for development through this project.''

Korea is pumping up public interest in the astronauts to bolster support for a $2.6 billion domestic space program. The nation that expanded its economy eightfold in 20 years is seeking to end its reliance on France, Russia and the U.S. to launch its satellites. The government also hopes to encourage homegrown technologies, such as robotics and telecommunications, to grab a slice of the $180 billion spent worldwide each year on space- linked research and manufacturing.

``The space industry is related to the country's competitiveness and survival -- it comes before a mere economic effect,'' said Kang Wan Goo, principal researcher at Korean Air Lines Co.'s aerospace technology institute. ``This astronaut project is helping form the social consensus. Then, financial support may follow.''

Korean scientists playing catch-up with the likes of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency need to focus on the nation's strengths, said Chang Young Keun, an engineering professor at Hankuk Aviation University in Goyang near Seoul.

Telecommunications

``It's not easy to make money from the space industry, even looking from examples in other countries,'' Chang said. ``Still, it is possible through service-related areas such as telecommunications through satellites.''

Korean Air Lines, the country's largest carrier, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., the biggest aircraft-maker, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., the largest maker of power generators, already supply components for Korean-made satellites.

In 2005, Satrec Initiative -- which specializes in making space cameras in central Daejeon city -- assembled the first satellite to be sold abroad, to Malaysia.

``Korea has an advantage in space exploration programs in the information technology area,'' said Choi Gi Hyuk, who leads the astronaut project at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Daejeon. ``In the future, we can cooperate with other countries to manufacture space-related products.''

Launch-Pad Site

The nation announced its space ambitions in 1996 and three years ago broke ground on a launch-pad site in southern Goheung county. Its 1.4 trillion won ($1.5 billion) spending plan until 2010 pales beside NASA's $17 billion budget in 2006.

Korea aims to launch its first satellite from home turf in 2008, with Russian help, said Kim Won Kee, a deputy director at the Information and Communication Ministry.

The aerospace institute is spending about 20 billion won on the astronaut project, including Russian fees. The first task: whittling down the list of candidates, who initially were required only to be at least 19 years old.

A running trial over 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) narrowed the field to 3,200. English-language and science tests left 500 in the race. Physical exams passed 245 hopefuls, who then faced a new round of psychological, physical and language reviews.

In December, eight went to Moscow to test their mettle in situations such as zero-gravity environments. Highlights reached Koreans via commercial broadcaster Seoul Broadcasting System, which carried live the announcement of the winners.

Swollen Eardrum

Kim Young Min failed. The atomics researcher suffered a swollen eardrum after an underwater task and couldn't continue.

``I was very disappointed,'' said Kim, 33. ``It goes to show how important it is to manage the physical conditions.''

The astronaut who reaches the space station will establish communications with Korea and perform 18 experiments selected by the Science Ministry. These include studying heart reactions, plant growth and the formation of ice.

As for the publicity benefits of a male-female final showdown, ``it's possible that the government took Yi's gender into consideration,'' said Choi Kyu Hong, an astronomy professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. ``However, certain standards are required for being one of the final two, and Yi is equipped.''

Yi said the worst moment during the eight-month contest came when she botched an experiment -- on television.

``It worked in a demonstration but it didn't in the real experiment,'' she said. ``I cried and it was shown on TV.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Kevin Cho in Seoul at kcho2@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 31, 2007 11:14 EST