Posts Tagged ‘unha-3’
The Unha-3 Launch Day Part Deux: From the Ground and from the Sky
Introduction North Korea achieved its first success in launching a satellite into orbit on December 12, 2012. To date, North Korean media have carried photographs and video clips, both prior to and during the launch, of the General Satellite Control Center (GSCC) near Pyongyang as well as the Sohae launch site itself. In addition, [...]
The “Satellite State’s” Ulterior Motive
Pyongyang’s decision to launch its Unha-3 rocket and accompanying satellite during the countdown to a tightly poised South Korean presidential election seems odd, on the face of it. North Korea’s preference, it is widely assumed, is for a pro-engagement administration under Moon Jae-in, given his likely resumption of large-scale inter-Korean [...]
About Yesterday
“If our intelligence systems and all our other channels of information failed to produce an accurate image of Japanese intentions and capabilities, it was not for want of the relevant materials. Never before have we had so complete an intelligence picture of the enemy.” ~ Roberta Wohlstetter, Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision These words [...]
Questions about the Unha-3 Failure
Three weeks have passed since the North Korean failed satellite launch and we’re still waiting for more information to accurately assess what happened. The United States, as well as Japan and South Korea, deployed many sensors in the region to watch the launch, and should have gathered very good data on what happened. However, it is unclear how [...]
North Korea Readies The Unha-3 for Launch on April 12, 2012
The North Koreans are making good progress to be able to launch the Unha-3 on April 12, 2012, the start of their announced launch window. Analysis on the most recent available imagery from April 9 shows activity at the propellant storage buildings adjacent to the pad, indicating fueling the rocket is about to start. In addition, the needed [...]
A Space Launch without a Space Program
The DPRK has sparked another diplomatic confrontation with its announcement that it intends to place a satellite in orbit as part of a peaceful space program. Often overlooked is the fact that while the DPRK has missiles, it does not yet have a recognizable space program. Missiles are in the news again with North Korea’s announcement that it [...]
