North Korea says its first spy satellite launch ends in failure
North Korea’s first attempted launch of a military spy satellite ended in failure on Wednesday, with South Korea’s military reporting that wreckage from the carrier rocket had been picked up in its western waters. North Korea’s state media agency, the Korean Central News Agency, said an “accident” occurred during the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite. The rocket, with a mounted satellite, was launched at 6:27 a.m. local time as previously announced. North Korea’s state media added that the failed launch was due to “low reliability and stability of the new-type engine system applied” to the carrier rocket and the “unstable character of the fuel used.” South Korean officials added that they are in the process of recovering “what could be the wreckages from the purported ‘space launch vehicle’ fired by North Korea.” The launch was condemned by South Korea, Japan and the U.S., with the US’s National Security Council saying: “The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement.”
FAQs:
What was North Korea trying to launch and why?
North Korea was attempting to launch a military spy satellite, which it said was designed to monitor US drills. North Korea has consistently shown its intention to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities, and analysts believe it was using the satellite to improve its ability to gather intelligence and guide weapons.
Why did the launch fail?
According to North Korea’s state media, the launch failed due to the “low reliability and stability of the new-type engine system applied” to the carrier rocket and the “unstable character of the fuel used.”
What was the reaction to the launch?
The launch was condemned by South Korea, Japan and the U.S., with the US’s National Security Council saying: “The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement.”
Will North Korea make another attempt to launch the satellite?
North Korea state media added that it will make a second attempt “as soon as possible” after looking into the “serious defects” from Wednesday’s launch. Officials in South Korea and Japan also acknowledge the possibility of an imminent launch from Pyongyang.
First spy satellite launched by North Korea ends in failure, according to reports.
North Korea has suffered a setback in its effort to launch its first military spy satellite. The rocket carrying the satellite crashed into its western waters, and the South Korean military picked up wreckage from the carrier rocket. The North Korean state media agency, the Korean Central News Agency, blamed the failure on the low reliability and stability of the new engine system applied to the carrier rocket and the unstable character of the fuel used. South Korea, the US and Japan condemned the launch as a UN security council violation. Nevertheless, North Korea has vowed to “make a second attempt as soon as possible”.