Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
Encyclopedia
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a satellite
allegedly launched by North Korea
on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful making North Korea the ninth country to launch a satellite, no objects were ever tracked in orbit
from the launch, and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure. It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng programme, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch.
It was launched from Musudan-ri
using a Paektusan
rocket, at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, a few days before the 50th anniversary of North Korea's independence from Japan
. On 1 September, the Korean Central News Agency
announced that the satellite had successfully been placed into medium Earth orbit
.
The China National Space Administration
was involved in the development of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1. which was had a 72 faced tetrahedral shape, similar to Dong Fang Hong I
, the first Chinese satellite. The mass of the satellite is unclear, with estimates ranging from 6 kilograms (13.2 lb) to 170 kilograms (374.8 lb).
test site to prepare for a satellite launch. Two weeks later, Korean People's Navy
vessels were deployed into the Sea of Japan
(East Sea of Korea) to track the rocket during its ascent to orbit. The launch was originally scheduled for an evening launch window
on 30 August, in order to provide favourable conditions for observing the launch. Due to adverse weather, the window was extended, and launch occurred at 03:07 GMT (12:07 local time), by which time the weather had improved.
By mid-August, U.S. intelligence had detected activity consistent with preparation and support of a missile flight test, and on August 31, 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.93 The Paektusan-1 demonstrated successful stage separation, but the third stage failed to place the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 (光明星-1) into orbit. Despite the failure, DPRK media claimed the satellite entered earth orbit after 4 minutes and 53 seconds of flight.
The U.S./Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD) were unable to detect the satellite visually, by radar
, or to pick up its radio signals, reporting instead that it continued east, burning up, with a debris trail that apparently extended to approximately 4000 kilometres (2,485.5 mi). It is thought that the Baekdusan-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.
The United States initially claimed the launch was a test of a Taepodong-1
intercontinental ballistic missile
, however it later agreed that the rocket's trajectory indicated an orbital launch attempt.
, DPRK sources claim Kim was born on Mount Paektu, and on that day a bright lode star (kwangmyŏngsŏng) appeared in the sky, so everyone knew a new general had been born.
On 13 September, the North Korean media reported that the satellite had completed its 100th orbit, and that it was in an elliptical
medium Earth orbit with a perigee of 218.82 kilometres (136 mi) and apogee of 6978.2 kilometres (4,336.1 mi) with a period of 165 minutes and 6 seconds. North Korea stated that the satellite carried transmitters which broadcast the Song of General Kim Il-sung
, the Song of General Kim Jong-Il and "Juche
Korea" in morse code
, on a frequency of 27 MHz. It also claimed that the spacecraft returned data on the temperature and pressure in space, and the conditions of its power source.
's Academy of Launch Technology
. This assistance has continued with the development of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellite project. It may also extend to additional satellites, including a crude reconnaissance satellite. Thus, the photographs published after the launch showed a satellite similar in shape with a 72 faced polyhedron, to the first Chinese satellite, Dong Fang Hong I
, itself very similar to Telstar 1, though estimations of the mass and therefore the size of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 differed according to the various sources, ranging from 6 kg to 170 kg (as compared to the 173 kg and 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm of the DFH-1).
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
allegedly launched by North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful making North Korea the ninth country to launch a satellite, no objects were ever tracked in orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
from the launch, and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure. It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng programme, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch.
It was launched from Musudan-ri
Musudan-ri
The Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground, also known as Musudan-ri, is a rocket launching site in North Korea. It lies in southern North Hamgyong province, near the northern tip of the East Korea Bay...
using a Paektusan
Paektusan (rocket)
The Paektusan, also transliterated Baekdusan or Pekdosan is a North Korean expendable carrier rocket, derived from the Taepodong-1 intermediate-range ballistic missile...
rocket, at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, a few days before the 50th anniversary of North Korea's independence from Japan
March 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First...
. On 1 September, the Korean Central News Agency
Korean Central News Agency
The Korean Central News Agency is the state news agency of North Korea and has existed since December 5, 1946. KCNA is headquartered in the capital city of Pyongyang...
announced that the satellite had successfully been placed into medium Earth orbit
Medium Earth Orbit
Medium Earth orbit , sometimes called intermediate circular orbit , is the region of space around the Earth above low Earth orbit and below geostationary orbit ....
.
The China National Space Administration
China National Space Administration
The China National Space Administration is the national space agency of the People's Republic of China responsible for the national space program. It is responsible for planning and development of space activities...
was involved in the development of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1. which was had a 72 faced tetrahedral shape, similar to Dong Fang Hong I
Dong Fang Hong I
Dong Fang Hong I , also known as China 1, was the People's Republic of China's first space satellite, launched successfully on April 24, 1970 as part of the PRC's Dong Fang Hong space satellite program. At 173 kg , it was heavier than the first satellites of other countries. The satellite carried...
, the first Chinese satellite. The mass of the satellite is unclear, with estimates ranging from 6 kilograms (13.2 lb) to 170 kilograms (374.8 lb).
Launch
On August 7, 1998, scientific personnel began to arrive at the Musudan-riMusudan-ri
The Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground, also known as Musudan-ri, is a rocket launching site in North Korea. It lies in southern North Hamgyong province, near the northern tip of the East Korea Bay...
test site to prepare for a satellite launch. Two weeks later, Korean People's Navy
Korean People's Navy
The Korean People's Army Naval Force is the navy of North Korea. The Korean People's Army is made up of the Ground Force, the North Korean Air Force, and the Navy. It was established on June 5, 1946. The navy strength in the 1990s was about 40,000 to 60,000; current strength is at about 46,000...
vessels were deployed into the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
(East Sea of Korea) to track the rocket during its ascent to orbit. The launch was originally scheduled for an evening launch window
Launch window
Launch window is a term used in spaceflight to describe a time period in which a particular launch vehicle must be launched. If the rocket does not launch within the "window", it has to wait for the next window....
on 30 August, in order to provide favourable conditions for observing the launch. Due to adverse weather, the window was extended, and launch occurred at 03:07 GMT (12:07 local time), by which time the weather had improved.
By mid-August, U.S. intelligence had detected activity consistent with preparation and support of a missile flight test, and on August 31, 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.93 The Paektusan-1 demonstrated successful stage separation, but the third stage failed to place the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 (光明星-1) into orbit. Despite the failure, DPRK media claimed the satellite entered earth orbit after 4 minutes and 53 seconds of flight.
The U.S./Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
(NORAD) were unable to detect the satellite visually, by radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, or to pick up its radio signals, reporting instead that it continued east, burning up, with a debris trail that apparently extended to approximately 4000 kilometres (2,485.5 mi). It is thought that the Baekdusan-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.
The United States initially claimed the launch was a test of a Taepodong-1
Taepodong-1
Taepodong-1 is a two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile developed in North Korea, and the weapon is currently in use there. The missile was derived originally from the Scud rocket, and can allegedly serve as both a nuclear delivery system and a space launch vehicle...
intercontinental ballistic missile
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
, however it later agreed that the rocket's trajectory indicated an orbital launch attempt.
Ethymology
The names “Paektusan” and “Kwangmyŏngsŏng” are richly symbolic for Korean nationalism and the Kim family cult. Paektusan (Mount Paektu) is the highest mountain in Korea (North and South) and is located on the border with China. According to Korean nationalist mythology, Tangun, the mythical founder of Korea, was born on the mountain in 2333 BC. And according to DPRK hagiographic propaganda, the mountain is sacred as the home of Kim Il-sŏng’s anti-Japanese guerrilla base, as well as the birthplace of Kim Jong il. Even though Kim Chŏng-il was born in the former Soviet Far East near KhabarovskKhabarovsk
Khabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located some from the Chinese border. It is the second largest city in the Russian Far East, after Vladivostok. The city became the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia...
, DPRK sources claim Kim was born on Mount Paektu, and on that day a bright lode star (kwangmyŏngsŏng) appeared in the sky, so everyone knew a new general had been born.
Aftermath
The August 31, 1998, Paektusan-1 launch was significant for North Korean domestic politics. North Korean media did not announce the test until September 4, one day before the Supreme People’s Assembly amended the DPRK Constitution to usher in the Kim Chŏng-il era. The DPRK Socialist Constitution declared Kim Il-sŏng “eternal president of the DPRK” and elevated the status of the National Defense Commission, which is chaired by Kim Chŏng-il. In the days before and after the attempted satellite launch, DPRK media often made references to the doctrine of kangsŏngdaeguk since satellite launches and missiles represent the highest levels of technology.On 13 September, the North Korean media reported that the satellite had completed its 100th orbit, and that it was in an elliptical
Ellipse
In geometry, an ellipse is a plane curve that results from the intersection of a cone by a plane in a way that produces a closed curve. Circles are special cases of ellipses, obtained when the cutting plane is orthogonal to the cone's axis...
medium Earth orbit with a perigee of 218.82 kilometres (136 mi) and apogee of 6978.2 kilometres (4,336.1 mi) with a period of 165 minutes and 6 seconds. North Korea stated that the satellite carried transmitters which broadcast the Song of General Kim Il-sung
Song of General Kim Il-sung
"The Song of General Kim Il-sung" is a North Korean marching song composed by Kim Won-gyun in 1946. As a part of an ongoing cult of personality, the song praising Kim Il-sung, North Korea's "Eternal President", who died in 1994, is still widely played in that country.The first two bars of the song...
, the Song of General Kim Jong-Il and "Juche
Juche
Juche or Chuch'e is a Korean word usually translated as "self-reliance." In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , "Juche" refers specifically to a political thesis of Kim Il-sung, the Juche Idea, that identifies the Korean masses as the masters of the country's development...
Korea" in morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
, on a frequency of 27 MHz. It also claimed that the spacecraft returned data on the temperature and pressure in space, and the conditions of its power source.
Design
In designing the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, North Korea received considerable assistance from the ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
's Academy of Launch Technology
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is the premier space launch vehicle manufacturer in China and one of the major launch service providers in the world. CALT is a subordinate of the larger China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation...
. This assistance has continued with the development of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellite project. It may also extend to additional satellites, including a crude reconnaissance satellite. Thus, the photographs published after the launch showed a satellite similar in shape with a 72 faced polyhedron, to the first Chinese satellite, Dong Fang Hong I
Dong Fang Hong I
Dong Fang Hong I , also known as China 1, was the People's Republic of China's first space satellite, launched successfully on April 24, 1970 as part of the PRC's Dong Fang Hong space satellite program. At 173 kg , it was heavier than the first satellites of other countries. The satellite carried...
, itself very similar to Telstar 1, though estimations of the mass and therefore the size of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 differed according to the various sources, ranging from 6 kg to 170 kg (as compared to the 173 kg and 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm of the DFH-1).