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North Korea - Launch Updates
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North Korean Launch ends in Failure - Flight Reconstruction
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April 13, 2012
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North Korea has launched its Unha-3 Launch Vehicle with the Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite on April 12, 2012 at 22:38:55 GMT (April 13 local time) from the Sohae Satellite Launch Center, North Korea. The flight was officially declared a failure by Government Officials which marks the first time the North Korean Government admitted defeat after claiming that their first two satellites had reached orbit, but - according to US Space Surveillance - never made it to Low Earth Orbit.
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Several hours after it became clear that North Korea's Unha-3 Launch with the Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite failed early in the Mission, more details emerged allowing a partial flight reconstruction.
The Unha-3 Launch Vehicle lifted off at 22:38:55 UTC and was acquired by South Korean Radars - according to South Korean Sources. First stage flight started nominally and the vehicle was flying on its expected trajectory taking it over the Yellow Sea after making its initial pitch maneuver. NORAD detected an unexpected flare at T+81 seconds according to the official Report issued by NORAD and NORTHCOM. Whether the flare was detected via radar or infrared satellites has not been specified. Stage separation was expected at about 2 Minutes into the flight. This can only be estimated as exact ascent and vehicle data were not released by North Korea, however, based on previous launches and estimated vehicle data, the T+120-Second Point for Stage 1 Shutdown seems fairly accurate. After shutdown, the first stage would have been jettisoned and the second stage was most likely set to ignite several seconds later. The first stage was expected to continue to fly downrange impacting around 480 Kilometers from the Launch site. This area was identified prior to flight and a Notice to Airmen was issued by the Government. At T+135 seconds, South Korean Radars observed an Off-Nominal Event after which two objects were visible on tracking radars. This catastrophic event occurred at an Altitude of 70.5 Kilometers while the stack was traveling at Mach 5.6 - about 120 to 150 Kilometers downrange. After breaking up, the vehicle continued to gain altitude and reached Apogee - its highest point - at 22:42:55 UTC, 4 minutes after Liftoff. At that point, the objects were 151.4 kilometers in altitude and moving at a velocity of Mach 4.4. Pre-Flight analysis revealed that the first stage would reach a maximum altitude of about 155 Kilometers after nominal staging. |
Revised Trajectory Analysis
Image: Google Earth
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Reconstructed Flight Timeline
Source: South Korean Defense Ministry, AFB, RG
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A possible failure might have occurred at the point of second stage ignition, because a) the first stage failed to separate and was still attached at the point of second stage ignition leading to an emergency shutdown or break-up, or b) the first stage separated (Object A) and the second stage failed to ignite or encountered a catastrophic failure and continued flight as Object B. These two Objects were tracked by South Korean Radars as they fell back to Earth. At T+8 Minutes and 47 Seconds, Object A broke up into at least 10 individual items. Twenty Seconds later, Object B also disintegrated. It broke into three parts at an Altitude of 11 Kilometers while traveling at mach 1.7, supporting the theory of Object B being the second stage, third stage and Payload. However, this is only one of many theories that have emerged as an informational blackout by North Korea allowed speculation. North Korea has not confirmed any data regarding today's flight. Less than 10 Minutes after blasting off, all components of the Unha-3 Launcher and Payload had impacted - now resting at an average depth of 70 to 100 meters. According to South Korean Media, the general impact zone is located 200 Kilometers west of the South Korean City of Gunsan - placing it right on the expected Ascent Ground Track only 20 Kilometers short of the First Stage Impact Area that was published earlier for a nominal flight which also supports the scenario of a failure at Stage 1 Burnout/Separation and Second Stage Ignition.
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It is worth noting that the initial Impact Zone issued by NORAD (165 Kilometers west of Seoul) could coincide with the impact zone of fragments of Object A as NORAD did not release exact coordinates - leaving a fairly big area that could be identified as impact zone.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that South Korea has started a recovery effort involving several navy ships equipped with sonars to find any items of the launch vehicle that could be of great value for foreign governments. According to official Information, ships from China, Russia and the United States are in the area. Whether these vessels are also seeking debris is not clear at the moment. Environmental concerns regarding the failure have also emerged as the Rocket was using highly toxic fuels - believed to be Monomethylhydrazine and Nitrogen Tetroxide which are substances that could have been released after the vehicle hit the Ocean.
Meanwhile, North Korea has not issued any new statements escaping to the Land of Silence after initially admitting that the launch had not succeeded. Video or still imagery of the Unha-3 Launch have not been released. The exact nature of the failure that ended the flight prematurely is under investigation by scientists and engineers, a North Korean Statement said. It is unlikely that any additional details will be released.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that South Korea has started a recovery effort involving several navy ships equipped with sonars to find any items of the launch vehicle that could be of great value for foreign governments. According to official Information, ships from China, Russia and the United States are in the area. Whether these vessels are also seeking debris is not clear at the moment. Environmental concerns regarding the failure have also emerged as the Rocket was using highly toxic fuels - believed to be Monomethylhydrazine and Nitrogen Tetroxide which are substances that could have been released after the vehicle hit the Ocean.
Meanwhile, North Korea has not issued any new statements escaping to the Land of Silence after initially admitting that the launch had not succeeded. Video or still imagery of the Unha-3 Launch have not been released. The exact nature of the failure that ended the flight prematurely is under investigation by scientists and engineers, a North Korean Statement said. It is unlikely that any additional details will be released.
Animation: North Korean Launch Failure - Credit: Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)
Today's Launch was closely monitored by several nations including South Korea, Japan and the United States using ground based radar systems as well as satellite assets to track the launch vehicle. South Korea and Japan had indicated earlier in April that the vehicle would be shot down if presenting a threat to their respective territories. North Korean officials had indicated prior to launch that the Unha-3 was equipped with a flight termination system to protect neighboring countries in case the Rocket flew off course. Available data suggests that the Launch Failure was not related to any Range Safety Violations as the vehicle was flying along its expected trajectory. "At no time were the missile or the resultant debris a threat," NORAD and USNORTHCOM said in a post-launch statement.
The Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite was supposed to be North Korea's first operational satellite after the previous payloads were only engineering models. According to government sources, the satellite was an Earth-Observation Payload that was supposed to acquire imagery of North Korea for numerous purposes. Also, the Satellite would have been used to obtain meteorological data. Weighing about 100 Kilograms, the three-axis-stabilized payload was targeting a polar orbit with an altitude of 500 Kilometers and an inclination of 97.5 degrees. While it was not sending image data to North Korean Ground stations, the satellite was to play North Korean Hymns. The satellite's on-orbit mission was planned to have a duration of 2 years.
While North Korea has shown unprecedented transparency regarding this launch - letting foreign reporters in the country, tour the launch site, the control center and look at the satellite and more importantly, admitting defeat after the failure - western governments are continuing to criticise the North Korean Government for violating United Nations Resolutions, banning North Korea from testing Ballistic Missile Technology. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has claimed several times that the mission was of peaceful character and an attempt to access space for scientific purposes. In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney said “Despite the failure of its attempted missile launch, North Korea’s provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own recent commitments. While this action is not surprising given North Korea’s pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community." Alexander Zheleznyakov from the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics Tsiolkovsky called the failure "predictable and predetermined."
The Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite was supposed to be North Korea's first operational satellite after the previous payloads were only engineering models. According to government sources, the satellite was an Earth-Observation Payload that was supposed to acquire imagery of North Korea for numerous purposes. Also, the Satellite would have been used to obtain meteorological data. Weighing about 100 Kilograms, the three-axis-stabilized payload was targeting a polar orbit with an altitude of 500 Kilometers and an inclination of 97.5 degrees. While it was not sending image data to North Korean Ground stations, the satellite was to play North Korean Hymns. The satellite's on-orbit mission was planned to have a duration of 2 years.
While North Korea has shown unprecedented transparency regarding this launch - letting foreign reporters in the country, tour the launch site, the control center and look at the satellite and more importantly, admitting defeat after the failure - western governments are continuing to criticise the North Korean Government for violating United Nations Resolutions, banning North Korea from testing Ballistic Missile Technology. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has claimed several times that the mission was of peaceful character and an attempt to access space for scientific purposes. In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney said “Despite the failure of its attempted missile launch, North Korea’s provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own recent commitments. While this action is not surprising given North Korea’s pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community." Alexander Zheleznyakov from the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics Tsiolkovsky called the failure "predictable and predetermined."
Launch Window for North Korean Satellite opens Today
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April 11, 2012
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As the
opening of the Launch Window for the North Korean Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite approaches, no
information has been released regarding the exact launch time of the Unha-3 Vehicle.
Launch Opportunities are available in the overnight hours (GMT) from April 11/12 to 15/16. The Daily Launch Window opens at 22:00 GMT and extends through 3:00. Expectations are that the exact launch time will be announced shortly before the event. Reporters were told that they will receive a status briefing at 9:30 local time on April 12 – 0:30 GMT – which is well within the first launch window. The nature of the briefing has not been disclosed – a small possibility remains that media will be told about the impending launch just minutes from liftoff. It has been anticipated that the launch would take place later in the window since it is set to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the birth of 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim il-Sung who was born on April 15, 1912. While secrecy about the exact launch date continues, analysts have been evaluating possible launch trajectories. North Korea has announced the Satellite would be delivered to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The Satellite will orbit Earth in a polar orbit with an altitude of 500 Kilometers. This orbit would require an inclination of 97.5 Degrees and analysts were not sure if the posted launch trajectory would allow the satellite to its delivered orbit. North Korea has issued NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) identifying the impact zones of the first stage and second stage of the Unha-3 Launcher downrange of the Sohae Satellite Launch Center from where the Vehicle will launch. In the map to the right the confinements of the first stage impact zone are marked red while those for the second stage are yellow. A possible launch trajectory is also included in the map. Should the Rocket follow this profile, it would end up in a near 90-Degree Orbit. One of the theories that has been posted is a small maneuver of the third stage after separating from the second stage to adjust its orientation prior to igniting – thus changing the final trajectory and placing the stack in a 97.45 (+/-.15) Degree-Orbit. Well known Space Analyst Ted Molczan has assessed images of the initial trajectory of the satellite that were shown in footage acquired inside the Control Room. According to his analysis, the Orbit shown inside the Control Center matches previous analysis and is in fact inclined ~97.5°. Should the satellite reach orbit, its orbital properties will provide more data to evaluate the ascent trajectory and Launch Vehicle Performance. Pre Flight Estimations are based on assumptions and can not be completely accurate. The Rocket and its integrated Payload stand ready and poised for launch with all pre-launch operations completed at the Launch Complex, according to North Korean Officials. For more details on the Unha-3 Launcher, the Payload and the Mission, refer to previous updates on this site. |
Image: Google Earth
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Nominal Ascent Animation - Credit: Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)
Projected Orbital Ground-Track (Sample)
Image: Orbitron
Rocket and Payload ready for Launch
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April 10, 2012
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Photo: AFP
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North
Korean Officials have announced on Tuesday that the Unha-3 Launch Vehicle and
the Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite are ready for launch later this week or early
next week from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station. The exact launch date and
time remain a secret.
According to official reports, Launch Vehicle fueling was completed on Monday and Tuesday - filling the Rocket with storable propellants believed to be Monomethylhydrazine and Nitrogen Tetroxide. After the tanking procedure was completed, the Payload was installed on top of the vehicle completing the stack. With that, launch vehicle integration is complete and final activities to prepare for the launch are getting underway including a final inspection of the launcher before access platforms of the Service Tower are retracted. An exact launch time has not been announced. The daily launch window from April 11 to 15 opens at around 22:00 and closes at 3:00 GMT according to official sources. |
Also, a detailed launch
trajectory has not been issued by the Korean Space Agency except the drop zones
of the first and second stage. How the Rocket will reach its intended polar orbit of
500 Kilometers woth an inclination of 90 to 99 Degrees has not been specified. Post-Flight analysis are likely to
reveal some detail of the flight profile. Officials have indicated that the
Unha-3 has been outfitted with a Flight Termination System that would be used
to destroy the Rocket should it fly off-course.
The United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, characterizing it as a violation of United Nations Resolutions. South Korea has adjusted its NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) changing the word ‘Rocket’ used in its previous report to ‘Missile’ in a more recent one. This might only appear to be a small change, but it might imply serious political implications. Launch activities will be closely tracked by several nations including the US using X-Band Tracking and its Space Surveillance Capabilities to identify the ascending rocket and possible items in Earth Orbit after the launch. North Korea has once again insisted that the mission is of scientific and peaceful purpose. The Launch also takes place as part of the centennial birthday commemorations for Kim Il Sung.
The United States, Britain, Japan and South Korea have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, characterizing it as a violation of United Nations Resolutions. South Korea has adjusted its NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) changing the word ‘Rocket’ used in its previous report to ‘Missile’ in a more recent one. This might only appear to be a small change, but it might imply serious political implications. Launch activities will be closely tracked by several nations including the US using X-Band Tracking and its Space Surveillance Capabilities to identify the ascending rocket and possible items in Earth Orbit after the launch. North Korea has once again insisted that the mission is of scientific and peaceful purpose. The Launch also takes place as part of the centennial birthday commemorations for Kim Il Sung.
North Korea shows controversial Satellite
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April 9, 2012
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As promised by North Korean Government Officials, foreign Reporters were allowed to visit the Sohae Satellite Launching Station from where a Unha Rocket is set to launch between April 12 and 16 to make the country's third attempt to place a satellite in orbit. Many nations believe that North Korea will test Ballistic Missile Technology on the flight - expressing serious doubts that the Mission would be of peaceful character. In an unprecented turn of events, North Korea allowed foreign reporters to visit the Launch Complex, take a look at the satellite and tour the Control Center to convince foreign governments of the purpose of the Mission. About 70 reporters from different News Agencies were invited to take a 5-hour train ride to the Launch Site. Reporters were able to get close to the Unha Rocket, take pictures and talk to Space Flight Officials.
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Photo: NHK World -- www.nhk.or.jp
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"Our country has the right and also the obligation to develop satellites and launching vehicles. No matter what others say, we are doing this for peaceful purposes," Jang Myong Jin, general manager of the launch center said about the controversial launch that is closely monitored by foreign governments. Later, the group of reporters was allowed a close-up look at the Satellite that will be mounted on the Unha-3 Launcher at some point in the ongoing launch prepararations to set the stage for its mission. The 100-kilogram satellite is supposedly carrying imaging equipment in the form of a high-definition camera that acquires video and still images. For data downlink and communications, the spacecraft is outfitted with a high-speed X-Band System as well as a UHF Communications unit. Officials claim that the satellite is three-axis-stabilized, however there are no obvious clues of a Attitude Control System when looking at the satellite. For Power generation, the spacecraft is covered with solar arrays that are fixed in position and do not deploy after arriving in orbit. Also, the Payload Adapter that is visible in the images of the Satellite does not provide sufficient information on the Payload Separation System that the Korean Committee of Space Technology has developed. Officials told reporters that Kwangmyongsong-3 is the first operational satellite to be launched while the two previously flown spacecraft were only engineering models. The satellite is planned to be active for up to two years, according to official information.
When the Payload will be mated to the Unha Launcher has not been disclosed, however it is anticipated that payload integration will occur some time next week.
According to Officials, launch preparations are on track for a mid-April Launch and that the Unha-3 Launch Vehicle has been fully integrated, but not yet fueled as previously indicated.
When the Payload will be mated to the Unha Launcher has not been disclosed, however it is anticipated that payload integration will occur some time next week.
According to Officials, launch preparations are on track for a mid-April Launch and that the Unha-3 Launch Vehicle has been fully integrated, but not yet fueled as previously indicated.
Reporters arrive in North Korea to witness the Launch
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April 7, 2012
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North Korea continues Preparations for its next attempt to place a satellite in orbit despite condemnation from other nations such as Japan, South Korea and the United States.
Indications are that the first launch attempt will be made on April 14, 2012 local time. The Launch window extends from 22:00 GMT on April 13 through 3:00 GMT on the 14th. According to government news agencies, Launch Preparations are on track, but details were not released. Analysts have reported that downrange tracking was established by setting up mobile radars. Korean News Media have announced that foreign reporters will have the opportunity to look at the Unha-3 Rocket with its Payload installed on it to demonstrate the peaceful character of the mission which many nations are still doubtful about. Reporters from several countries including China, Russia, France, Germany, Switzerland and the US as well as the United Kingdom have already arrived in North Korea to travel to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a rocket launching site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province from where the vehicle will launch. According to North Korean Media, the Reporters will have the opportunity to wintess the launch from an appropriate location. Whether there will be a launch broadcast is not clear at this time. Previous launches were not televised live.
Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul warn they will use their interceptors should the rocket move over their territory. Japan has mobilized PAC-3 Patriot Rockets in Okinawa and Tokyo taking steps that were not made for North Korea's most recent launch in 2009. The United States have announced that the launch and ascent of the vehicle would be monitored closely - using Sea-Based X-Band Radar Systems as well as the Space Surveillance Network. Information obtained in real time will be shared with Japan. Data obtained during these observations will also be used to assess the progress that North Korea made on its vehicles to deduce any military implications this might have. Should the launch be successful, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea would become the ninth country to place a spacecraft in orbit.
Indications are that the first launch attempt will be made on April 14, 2012 local time. The Launch window extends from 22:00 GMT on April 13 through 3:00 GMT on the 14th. According to government news agencies, Launch Preparations are on track, but details were not released. Analysts have reported that downrange tracking was established by setting up mobile radars. Korean News Media have announced that foreign reporters will have the opportunity to look at the Unha-3 Rocket with its Payload installed on it to demonstrate the peaceful character of the mission which many nations are still doubtful about. Reporters from several countries including China, Russia, France, Germany, Switzerland and the US as well as the United Kingdom have already arrived in North Korea to travel to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a rocket launching site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province from where the vehicle will launch. According to North Korean Media, the Reporters will have the opportunity to wintess the launch from an appropriate location. Whether there will be a launch broadcast is not clear at this time. Previous launches were not televised live.
Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul warn they will use their interceptors should the rocket move over their territory. Japan has mobilized PAC-3 Patriot Rockets in Okinawa and Tokyo taking steps that were not made for North Korea's most recent launch in 2009. The United States have announced that the launch and ascent of the vehicle would be monitored closely - using Sea-Based X-Band Radar Systems as well as the Space Surveillance Network. Information obtained in real time will be shared with Japan. Data obtained during these observations will also be used to assess the progress that North Korea made on its vehicles to deduce any military implications this might have. Should the launch be successful, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea would become the ninth country to place a spacecraft in orbit.
North Korea prepares for Orbital Launch Attempt
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April 4, 2012
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North Korea
is preparing for the Country’s third attempt to succeed at launching a
satellite into Orbit. North Korean Officials announced that the Launch would
take place between April 12 and 16, 2012. After the announcement was made
public, several nations, including the US, South Korea and Japan, condemned the launch and
characterized it as a violation of United Nations Resolutions.
North Korea has made two attempts so far to deliver Kwangmyŏngsŏng satellites to orbit in 1998 and 2006. In addition to that, another unknown payload was launched in 2006, however this launch was most likely a sub-orbital ballistic missile test flight. North Korea claims that the two Kwangmyŏngsŏng Satellites have reached orbit as planned, however western Space Surveillance Networks have never seen the Objects in Orbit indicating that the launch vehicles failed before reaching orbits. The Unha-3 Launch Vehicle which is similar to the previously flown Unha-2 Rocket will perform this mission. Unha is a three-stage Rocket derived from the Taepodong-2 Ballistic Missile. Due to the secrecy of North Korea's ballistic missile programme, technical details are not released to the public. |
Photo: Korean Central News Agency
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It is believed that the first
stage of the 85,000-Kilogram Launcher is powered by four clustered Nodong
Motors which are enlarged Scud Motors (Scud Missiles were produced by the
Soviet Union during the Cold War). Approximate Burn time of the first stage is
2 Minutes. Total Liftoff thrust is estimated to be 1,200 Kilo Newtons. The
Stage consumes Monomethylhydrazine and Nitric Acid as Propellants. The second
stage of the Unha Vehicle is likely based on the SS-N-6 submarine-launched
missile. One Rodong engine is attached to the stage providing approximately 250
Kilo Newtons of Thrust and burning for about 110 seconds. The third stage is a
solid-rocket stage that is similar to Iran’s Safir Second Stage. It burns for
40 seconds and provides 54 Kilo Newtons of Thrust. Estimated launch vehicle
capacity to Low Earth Orbit is 100 Kilograms.
Photo: Korean Central News Agency
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The Payload
for this flight is the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Satellite which is an Earth-Observation
Payload, supposedly for Weather Forecast Purposes and agricultural monitoring. The spacecraft is equipped with cameras that will acquire still photogrpahy as well as videos that will be downlinked to Ground Stations in UHF and X-Band. The satellite weighs
approximately 100 Kilograms and targets a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit with an
altitude of 500 Kilometers. These official values are highly doubted by known
Space Analysts as the Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMS, issued by North Korea do not match the required trajectory to
reach a Sun-Synchronous Orbit with a 97-degree inclination. NOTAMS are issued to mark the areas where launch
vehicle components are expected to fall after being separated from the
Launcher. The first stage will drop off the western coast of South Korea while
the second stage impacts further downrange, east of Luzon Island, Philippines.
Officials have indicated that the satellite’s mission will have a duration of
two years. The Unha Rocket will launch from the Sohae Satellite Launching
Station, a rocket launching site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province.
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The daily launch window is expected to be extending through the overnight hours GMT. Work at the Launch Site has been underway since mid-march to prepare the location for the launch. Also, stacking of the Unha-3 Rocket has started, according to news agency reports.
Satellite imagery of the Launch Complex clearly shows activity. The Launch Pad Structure has been configured for Launch Vehicle Integration and Propellant deliveries have taken place. At the end of March, reports came in claiming that filling the first stage with its propellants had begun. According to analysts, this activity indicates that North Korea continues to press ahead with launch preparations on schedule for a mid-April Liftoff. A Launch on April 15 would coincide with the 100th birthday of North Korea’s late former President Kim Il-sung.
The Launch announcement has caused many Nations to express serious concerns about North Korea trying to improve its Missile Technology. A UN Resolution (1718) was passed in 2006 in the aftermath of the Nation’s Nuclear Test of the same year. According to this Resolution, North Korea must "not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile", "suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme" and "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner." Since it is suspected that the Unha Launcher contains components that are also used on ballistic missiles, the launch clearly presents a violation of this resolution, according to a Statement from Washington. North Korea has stated that the launcher will fly on a southward trajectory, but the US lacks confidence about the rocket’s stability and where the exact impact zone will be in case of an off-nominal flight. Also, the second stage is expected to fall down just about 200 Kilometers off the coast of the Philippines which is known to be fishing territory. The Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs expressed "grave concerns" over the planned launch. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that he is seriously concerned about this satellite launch. Japan has also characterized the launch as a violation of the UN Resolution. The Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka has indicated that he would order the Rocket to be destroyed should it pass over Japanese territory. In late March, the NHK TV Station reported that missile intercept equipment would be deployed.
“A safe flight orbit has been chosen so that carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighboring countries,” a North Korean News Agency Statement said.
Satellite imagery of the Launch Complex clearly shows activity. The Launch Pad Structure has been configured for Launch Vehicle Integration and Propellant deliveries have taken place. At the end of March, reports came in claiming that filling the first stage with its propellants had begun. According to analysts, this activity indicates that North Korea continues to press ahead with launch preparations on schedule for a mid-April Liftoff. A Launch on April 15 would coincide with the 100th birthday of North Korea’s late former President Kim Il-sung.
The Launch announcement has caused many Nations to express serious concerns about North Korea trying to improve its Missile Technology. A UN Resolution (1718) was passed in 2006 in the aftermath of the Nation’s Nuclear Test of the same year. According to this Resolution, North Korea must "not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile", "suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme" and "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner." Since it is suspected that the Unha Launcher contains components that are also used on ballistic missiles, the launch clearly presents a violation of this resolution, according to a Statement from Washington. North Korea has stated that the launcher will fly on a southward trajectory, but the US lacks confidence about the rocket’s stability and where the exact impact zone will be in case of an off-nominal flight. Also, the second stage is expected to fall down just about 200 Kilometers off the coast of the Philippines which is known to be fishing territory. The Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs expressed "grave concerns" over the planned launch. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that he is seriously concerned about this satellite launch. Japan has also characterized the launch as a violation of the UN Resolution. The Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka has indicated that he would order the Rocket to be destroyed should it pass over Japanese territory. In late March, the NHK TV Station reported that missile intercept equipment would be deployed.
“A safe flight orbit has been chosen so that carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighboring countries,” a North Korean News Agency Statement said.
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