Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
Mission type | Technology |
---|---|
Operator | KCST |
Mission duration | Launch failure |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 31 August 1998, 03:07 | UTC
Rocket | Paektusan |
Launch site | Tonghae |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 218.82 kilometres (135.97 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 6,978.2 kilometres (4,336.1 mi) |
Inclination | 40.6 degrees |
Period | 165 minutes, 6 seconds |
Epoch | Claimed |
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 or Gwangmyeongseong-1 (Korean: 광명성 1호, Hanja: 光明星 1號, meaning Bright Star 1) was a satellite allegedly launched by North Korea on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were ever tracked in orbit from the launch,[1][self-published source] and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure.[2][3] It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch.
It was launched from
The
Etymology
The names "Paektusan" and "Kwangmyŏngsŏng" are richly symbolic for
Design
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2021) |
In designing the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, North Korea received considerable assistance from the
Launch
On 7 August 1998, scientific personnel began to arrive at the
By mid-August, U.S. intelligence had detected activity consistent with preparation and support of a missile flight test, and on 31 August, North Korea launched the Paektusan-1 in an attempt to place a small satellite into earth orbit. U.S. intelligence observed the preparations for the launch, so the timing was not a surprise; however, most analysts did not expect the missile to be configured as a space launch vehicle with a third stage. The United States initially considered the launch a test of intercontinental ballistic missile technology, but it later noted that the rocket's trajectory indicated an orbital launch attempt.[1][self-published source][7]
It is thought that the Paektusan-1 solid propellant third stage both demonstrated a near full duration burn and the spin up of the stage and satellite along its longitudinal axis. However, the third stage solid motor ruptured, de-orbiting the satellite almost immediately after orbital insertion while achieving orbital velocity. U.S. officials said the launching represented North Korea's interests to build longer-range missiles.[7]
Despite the launch failure, North Korea reported Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 as a total success,.[2] with the government counting its supposed orbital passes and publishing statements of praise from international supporters.[citation needed]
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2021) |
No. | Date | Model | Area flown over | Advance notice | North Korean claim | Satellite name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 31, 1998 | Taepodong-1 | Akita | No | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 |
2 | April 5, 2009 | Unha-2 | Akita, Iwate | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 |
3 | December 12, 2012 | Unha-3 | Okinawa | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 |
4 | February 7, 2016 | Kwangmyŏngsŏng (Unha-3) | Okinawa | Yes | Satellite launch | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 |
5 | August 29, 2017 |
Hwasong-12 | Hokkaido |
No | Missile launch | N/A |
6 | September 15, 2017 |
Hwasong-12 | Hokkaido |
No | Missile launch | N/A |
7 | October 4, 2022 |
Hwasong-12 (presumed) | Aomori | No |
Reactions
North Korea
The 31 August 1998, Paektusan-1 launch was significant for North Korean domestic politics.
On 13 September, the North Korean media reported that the satellite had completed its 100th orbit, and that it was in an
People's Republic of China
China stated that it had no prior knowledge of the launch and has promised the United States that it will help keep "nuclear missiles out of North Korea".[10] However, the Chinese government had expressed concern over the proposed joint US-Japanese Theater Missile Defense (TMD) plan and warned that, "Japan and the United States should exercise restraint and refrain from doing anything that may cause tensions in the region".[11]
Russia
According to the head of
South Korea
South Korea's response was relatively muted. In his U.N speech on 25 September 1998, South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister
United States
On 10 September, the United States announced a package of agreements aimed at defusing tensions and resuming the stalled
See also
- Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2
- Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3
- North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
- Taepodong-2
- 1993 North Korean missile test
- Taepodong-1
References
- ^ a b c d e Wade, Mark. "Kwangmyongsong 1". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 25 August 2002. Retrieved 6 April 2009.[self-published source]
- ^ a b "U.S. Calls North Korean Rocket a Failed Satellite". The New York Times. 15 September 1998. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
- ^ "North Korea's space launch programme and long-range missile projects". Reuters. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Kwangmyongsong". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.[self-published source]
- ^ Brue Cumings, Korea's Place in the Sun, New York: W. W. Norton, 1997, pp. 22–25. North Korea claims to have discovered Tangun's remains in Pyongyang in 1993, and has since built a tomb for him on the outskirts of Pyongyang. See "North, South Commemorate Accession Day of Nation's Founder," The People's Korea, 12 October 2002, pp. 1–2,
- ^ "一九九六-二〇〇五年全球运载火箭发射概况". 中国空间技术研究院. 25 July 2006. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ a b "A North Korean Satellite? U.S. Is Searching". The New York Times. 6 September 1998. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
- S2CID 144402142.
- ^ "NORTH KOREAN CONSULAR OFFICIAL IN RUSSIA MAKES COMMENT ON MISSILE LAUNCH", ITAR-TASS news agency (World Service), Moscow, 2 September 1998
- ^ Simon Beck, "Beijing 'to Help U.S.' Over North Korean Missiles," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 17 September 1998
- ^ "China Warns U.S, Japan About Missile Defense Agreement," Indian Express (Delhi), 23 September 1998
- ^ "North Korea fires missile over Japan", The Guardian, 1 September 1998
- ^ Yuriy Golotyuk and Sergey Golotyuk, "Russian Pacific Fleet Scared by Russian Rocket Forces," Russkiy Telegraf, 2 September 1998
- ^ "Moscow Analyzes Impact of North Korean Missile Launch on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Situation in the Region," Interfax, 2 September 1998
- ^ "Joint Statement on North Korea Issues," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 25 September 1998
- ^ Jun Kwan-woo, "Pyongyang Agrees to Return to Four-Party Peace Talks", Korea Herald (Seoul), 11 September 1998
- ^ Thomas W. Lippman, "Perry May be Named to Try to Salvage Pact with N. Korea," Washington Post, 4 October 1998, p. 27