Author Topic: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012  (Read 252108 times)

Online Galactic Penguin SST

A spokesperson from the Korean Committee for Space Technology has announced that they will launch Kwangmyongsong 3 into orbit between April 12 and April 16 using the "Unha 3" launch vehicle, marking one century since the birth of the late Kim Il-sung.

BBC story

CNN story
« Last Edit: 04/13/2012 12:34 am by Satori »
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Online Galactic Penguin SST

Hmm, according to the CNN story, the launch will come from a new launch site on the western coast of NK, as opposed to Musudan-ri on the east coast that the last two attempts and ICBM tests occurred. This should be the one (co-ordinates: 39.652855 N,124.714018 E): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongdong-ri

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Offline Blackstar

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #2 on: 03/16/2012 12:32 pm »
Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/north-korea-says-it-will-launch-long-range-rocket-next-month/2012/03/16/gIQAraWtFS_story.html?hpid=z3

North Korea says it will launch long-range rocket carrying satellite

"SEOUL — North Korea said Friday that it intends to blast a satellite into space using a long-range rocket, an announcement that drew international condemnation and seemed to run counter to Pyongyang’s recent promise to halt weapons tests in exchange for food.

North Korea described the launch as both and scientific and celebratory: It will take place between April 12 and 16, to mark the centenary of founder Kim Il Sung’s birth. "



"AP - In this April 5, 2009 image, a rocket is lifted off from its launch pad in Musudan-ri, North Korea. North Korea announced Friday it plans to launch a long-range rocket mounted with a satellite next month."

« Last Edit: 03/16/2012 12:32 pm by Blackstar »

Offline ostangen

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #3 on: 03/16/2012 01:02 pm »
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2012/03/16/37/0401000000AEN20120316004900315F.HTML

Abstract of the article
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Friday it will launch an earth observation satellite aboard a long-range rocket next month, a move expected to spark international condemnation because the launch is seen as little different from a missile test.

 North Korea said Unha-3 rocket carrying Kwangmyongsong-3 will blast off from its satellite launching station in North Pyongan Province between April 12 and 16, the Korean Committee for Space Technology said in Pyongyang.

The committee said it has chosen a safe flight orbit to ensure carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighboring countries.

North Korea "will strictly abide by relevant international regulations and usage concerning the launch of scientific and technological satellites for peaceful purposes and ensure maximum transparency," the North's committee said in an English-language statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

The committee claimed that the launch will greatly encourage North Koreans "in the building of a thriving nation and will offer an important occasion of putting the country's technology of space use for peaceful purposes on a higher stage."


Offline Blackstar

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #4 on: 03/16/2012 01:10 pm »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Offline ChileVerde

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #5 on: 03/16/2012 01:13 pm »
Hmm, according to the CNN story, the launch will come from a new launch site on the western coast of NK, as opposed to Musudan-ri on the east coast that the last two attempts and ICBM tests occurred. This should be the one (co-ordinates: 39.652855 N,124.714018 E): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongdong-ri

Yes, this is something the initial news reports missed. Also, the launch into a polar orbit will take it over or near Taiwan, the Philippines, and Western Australia.


Edit: Changes "news reporting" to "initial news reports."
« Last Edit: 03/16/2012 01:18 pm by ChileVerde »
"I can’t tell you which asteroid, but there will be one in 2025," Bolden asserted.

Offline Phillip Clark

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #6 on: 03/16/2012 06:12 pm »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Do I detect an ever-so-slight doubt that it will reach orbit?
I've always been crazy but it's kept me from going insane - WJ.

Offline Blackstar

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #7 on: 03/16/2012 07:15 pm »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Do I detect an ever-so-slight doubt that it will reach orbit?

Not at all. That picture was entirely accurate.

But should we place bets?

Offline Airlock

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #8 on: 03/16/2012 07:27 pm »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Haha! You got me good with that one :)

Offline Moe Grills

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #9 on: 03/17/2012 12:48 am »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Do I detect an ever-so-slight doubt that it will reach orbit?

If North Korea plans to (eventually) orbit an EMP device,
then it's just as well that the North Koreans fail in their efforts to orbit
ANYTHING, as long as they have a paranoid and psychopathic government!
  I don't trust that regime.
  I hope you don't either, Phil.

Sorry, this is going politico, can't be avoided.
 
I would not want to see any dangerous regime launch anything into orbit
that would threaten civilization.
 

Offline Zed_Noir

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #10 on: 03/17/2012 06:18 am »
Image from the first North Korean Earth observation satellite.

Do I detect an ever-so-slight doubt that it will reach orbit?

Not at all. That picture was entirely accurate.

But should we place bets?

Not for orbiting something. After all the North Koreans are using 50's era technology that originated from Peenemünde.

However the North Koreans getting something functional in orbit for very long is highly doubtful currently IMO. Unless they have outside help.

Offline ChileVerde

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #11 on: 03/17/2012 02:50 pm »

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2012/03/17/0401000000AEN20120317001200315.HTML

N. Korea says will invite foreign experts to observe satellite launch

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will invite a group of foreign experts and journalists to observe its launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 next month.

"The Korean Committee for Space Technology will invite experienced foreign experts on space science and technology and journalists to visit the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, the General Satellite Control and Command Center and other places and observe its launch," the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a brief dispatch from Pyongyang.
"I can’t tell you which asteroid, but there will be one in 2025," Bolden asserted.

Offline Moe Grills

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #12 on: 03/17/2012 08:04 pm »

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2012/03/17/0401000000AEN20120317001200315.HTML

N. Korea says will invite foreign experts to observe satellite launch

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will invite a group of foreign experts and journalists to observe its launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 next month.



Oh, how nice!   ::)

One thing North Korea's government (Ooops!) 'space agency' will not
do is reveal their true 'space' agenda.

Historically, other (more reasonable and stable) nations converted
long-range strategic missiles into satellite boosters.
 North Korea plans to do the reverse.


  Operation Valkerie (1944): "There is no problem on Earth that cannot be solved by the correct application of high-explosives. The trick is not to be around when it happens."

Offline JimO

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #13 on: 03/18/2012 10:20 am »
So where do we apply, to be invited to the launch?

Seriously -- is there some international contact point?

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #14 on: 03/19/2012 12:24 pm »
Perhaps, like Iran, this liquid rocket is a public diversion from the "real" solid-fueled instant-fire missile.

Has NK been developing large solids? I have seen nothing in press on that. Just because Iran is, does not mean NK can afford to.
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Offline iamlucky13

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #15 on: 03/19/2012 05:32 pm »
I believe that North Korea will orbit a satellite.  If not this time, eventually.  They may achieve the goal before South Korea, which would be interesting since South Korea's attempt is largely Russian. 

 - Ed Kyle

I didn't buy the claim about the last launch attempt being a satellite. It apparently flew the expected range of the Taepodong 2 missile and fell into the Pacific.

As their intent this time is apparently to fly southward as they would for a polar orbit, I wonder if this one actually is genuinely a satellite test. There's not as much room in that direction for a safe splashdown.

Online Steven Pietrobon

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #16 on: 03/20/2012 02:33 am »
So where do we apply, to be invited to the launch?

Seriously -- is there some international contact point?

I suggest you try the North Korean embassies in Mexico or the UK (the US does not have an North Korean embassy) or the North Korean Permanent Mission in New York (presumably, its representative at the United Nations). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diplomatic_missions_of_North_Korea for a list of North Korean diplomatic missions.

If you do get to go, I suggest watching the documentary film "The Red Chapel" to prepare you for the bizarre world that is North Korea.
« Last Edit: 03/20/2012 02:41 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline ChileVerde

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #17 on: 03/20/2012 12:33 pm »
My notes on the April 5, 2009 Unha 2 attempt say that the second stage fell short of the expected splash zone.
 - Ed Kyle

Could you provide a pointer to that, please? My recollection of the reports from that launch is that the failure occurred in the third stage.
"I can’t tell you which asteroid, but there will be one in 2025," Bolden asserted.

Offline input~2

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #18 on: 03/20/2012 04:28 pm »
Estimated flight path and potential launcher debris drop zones locations according to data in this article (in Spanish).
Launch date: April 12 to 16
Launch time: 2200 to 0300 UTC
« Last Edit: 03/20/2012 04:53 pm by input~2 »

Offline input~2

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Re: FAILURE: Kwangmyongsong-3 Unha-3 launch - April 12, 2012
« Reply #19 on: 03/21/2012 04:57 am »
The exact drop zones coordinates for "first stage" and "second stage" debris are given in the message to IMO
(original information from Sharicoff /NK forum)
« Last Edit: 03/21/2012 05:37 am by input~2 »

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