North Korea preparing for spy satellite launch

In case anyone on this forum hasn't noticed, North Korea is starting preparations to carry out its first launch of a reconnaissance satellite:
en.yna.co.kr...

The US and South Korea might have felt it convenient to condemn North Korea's previous four satellite launches for violating UN Security Council resolutions on the grounds that the Paektusan SLV family used in those launches utilizes ballistic missile technology; as a matter of fact, the R-7 used to launch the world's first spacecraft into orbit in 1957 was the world's first operational ICBM. If North Korea's first spy satellite launch is successful, it would constitute a leap forward for North Korea's space program, historically seen by space experts as fostering national prestige. What's unclear is if the design of the Paektusan-2 (aka Unha/Kwangmyongsong) first stage forms the basis of the first stages of North Korea's liquid-fueled ICBMs, because the Paektusan's first stage is based on the Rodong MRBM, and the Hwasong-18 is a solid-fuel ballistic missile unlike the Hwasong-14, Hwasong-15, and Hwasong-17.

a reply to: Potlatch

It definitely will be an amazing story if it's a success.

a reply to: Potlatch

Americans were very concerned and worried when Russia launched its first satellite.

Sputnik went beep beep beep.

Does it matter what propulsion method is used to punt a craft into orbit?

United States 123
Russia 74
People's Republic of China 68
France 8
Israel 8
India 7
United Kingdom 7
Germany 7
Italy 6
Japan 4
Turkey 2
United Arab Emirates 2
Spain 2
Republic of China 1
Canada 1
Algeria 1
Mexico 1
Australia 1
Chile 1

Has the UN ever condemned any of these military satellite deployments?

originally posted by: musicismagic
a reply to: Potlatch

It definitely will be an amazing story if it's a success.

Yes, it will be a triumph for North Korea, and China by proxy. There should be a new holiday proclaimed on this day!

Where do you live again? Didn't you say you left the mainland and moved to Japan at some point? And as a person that is supposed to be living in Japan, you think it's amazing that NK is developing ICBMs that can launch satellites OR nuclear attacks?

a reply to: Mahogany

NK wouldn't need an ICBM to hit Japan or SK.

Getting a nuclear weapon small enough to fit on a missile is one big challenge. NK is probably there on that, going from previous weapon images. They claimed the device tested in 2017 was capable of being mounted on a missile.

In addition, having a nuclear payload survive reentry is another challenge. Unless they've had a significant amount of help from the Chinese or Russians, they're probably not there yet. There is no real consensus that they have this technology, and no previous weapons tests demonstrated this.

On top of that, getting the payload to hit where you want is a huge obstacle. The device tested in 2017 most likely had a yield of around 250 kt. For that you would probably need a CEP of two miles (3.2 km) or less for an airburst. Even less for a ground burst device. I really doubt that NK is there on that.

So they can loft their satellite (they already have placed two in orbit in the last decade) and it really shouldn't be a big deal. Worries of a NK nuclear device on an ICMB are pretty unfounded. Now, placing one on an An-2 flying slow and low on a suicide mission on the other hand...

a reply to: Potlatch

So the country with a lower electrification rate than Eritrea and Mali is going to launch a spy satellite? Just 6 decades after the rest of us too!

Just imagine what happens when North Korea introduces the microwave! Wait, those are illegal because they use too much power. And they need what little they have to light up those brainwashing monuments. Like a failed structurally unsound 100 floor hotel that now serves as a massive LED propaganda display.



But they need that power to fake how great they are.

North Korea is the official Earth Joke country. They'll launch 40 year old camera technology and call it a massive achievement. And then broadcast it on their state media, which people will likely watch in public after bowing to a picture of some f*** with glandular problems.

My inspection trip to North Korea, 2012....

www.jamesoberg.com...
www.jamesoberg.com...

They will finally be able to offer cable TV !

a reply to: JimOberg

No, not a lot of ambiguity there...

Thanks for the pictures, Jim. The near-famine of the peasants in the country-side, juxtaposed with the veritable, by comparison, feast aboard that train--damn.

In your opinion, where does North Korea stand technologically??

a reply to: Potlatch

*** UPDATE ***

North Korean rocket launching spy camera fails during stage 2 (according to state media) and crashes into ocean.

apnews.com...

Hey, maybe they can try again in another 7 years?

Love North Korea, they are like the Gargomel of counties.

a reply to: Degradation33

Just remember, the US space program had its fair share of failures, too. So, too, did the Soviets, though they tried their best to keep that under wraps.

Who knows what they'll accomplish in a couple of years...??