FAILURE: Malligyong-1-1 F1 - Chollima-1 - Sohae - May 27, 2024 (13:44UTC)

[Satori]

North Korea plans to launch a new satellite between May 27 and June 4, 2024.

[Steven Pietrobon]

The press release announcing the launch.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-plans-launch-satellite-rocket-between-may-27-june-4-japan-coast-2024-05-26/

TOKYO/SEOUL, May 27 (Reuters) - North Korea has notified Japan it plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite between May 27 and June 4, the Japan Coast Guard said on Monday,...

[starbase]

According to Bob Christy the daily launch window could be 13:00–14:00 or 20:00–22:00 UTC

https://twitter.com/OrbitalFocus/status/1795011479990636989

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Apparently the launch has occurred several minutes ago with Japan issuing a missile warning to Okinawa.

...and now cancelled. NHK reporters filming from the border in China nearby saw a huge fireball in the night sky shortly after launch so it seems the rocket must have blown up shortly after launch.
https://twitter.com/nhk_news/status/1795094096908034228

[Alter Sachse]

http://kcna.kp/kp/article/q/92a125ddfb11c42e00e9dc41bfb4e65e.kcmsf

Korean Central News Agency reports
Military reconnaissance satellite launch mishap

On May 27, 2024, the General Administration of Aerospace Technology of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a reconnaissance satellite “Manryong-1-1” on a new satellite carrier rocket from the Seosong Satellite Launch Site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province.

The launch failed because the new satellite carrier rocket exploded in mid-air during the first stage of the flight, according to the deputy director general of the Korea Aerospace Technology Administration.

He noted that the expert review of the on-site command of the Emergency Satellite Launch Preparation Committee has made a preliminary conclusion that the unreliability of the newly developed liquid oxygen + petroleum activator is the cause of the accident.

Other possible causes of the accident will also be deliberated.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[TheKutKu]

So I assume that this is a new launcher? The report explicitely says "Liquid-oxygen - Petroleum engine", and it blew up during the S1 ascent, while Chollima-1 has hypergolic propulsion on the first stage, as far as we know, unless the few pictures were radically misinterpreted.

However the NOTAMs are near-identical to those of the previous launches.

[Satori]

So I assume that this is a new launcher? The report explicitely says "Liquid-oxygen - Petroleum engine", and it blew up during the S1 ascent, while Chollima-1 has hypergolic propulsion on the first stage, as far as we know, unless the few pictures were radically misinterpreted.

However the NOTAMs are near-identical to those of the previous launches.

Well, all the reports are talking about the 'Chollima-1' launcher.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Well, all the reports are talking about the 'Chollima-1' launcher.

The press release says "new-type satellite carrier rocket". The mention of new kerolox engines strongly supports that this is a new vehicle. Here's the official English version of the press release. No images unfortunately.

http://kcna.kp/en/article/q/92a125ddfb11c42e00e9dc41bfb4e65e.kcmsf

KCNA Report on Accident in Launch of Military Reconnaissance Satellite

Pyongyang, May 27 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency made public the following report on May 27 as regards an accident occurred during the launch of military reconnaissance satellite:

The National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) of the DPRK conducted the launch of reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1-1 aboard the new-type satellite carrier rocket at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province on May 27, Juche 113 (2024).

The launch failed due to the air blast of the new-type satellite carrier rocket during the first-stage flight, the vice general director of the NATA said.

He said that the experts' examination of the field headquarters of the non-permanent preparatory committee for launching satellites made a preliminary conclusion that the cause of the accident is attributable to the reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen + petroleum engine, adding that other causes will be examined. -0-

[Liss]

Well, all the reports are talking about the 'Chollima-1' launcher.

Yet KCNA has not named the launch vehicle.

[catdlr]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/27/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-japan-live/

[starbase]

ROK military analysts think it could be a new launcher with RD-191 derived engines. Or at least a modified first stage.

Source: https://munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=2024052801070630114001

[Mahurora]

Reportedly a lot of Russian engineers have visited NK to support the new kerolox LV.

[Blackstar]

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20240528-188762/

[Slothman]

"air blast"... Max q? Or accidental stoichiometric combustion -> detonation in an engine maybe?

[Blackstar]

"air blast"... Max q? Or accidental stoichiometric combustion -> detonation in an engine maybe?

Or you could look at the photo, which indicates that the engines shut down, it coasted a bit, and then it blew up.

[jcm]

Well, all the reports are talking about the 'Chollima-1' launcher.

Yet KCNA has not named the launch vehicle.

Indeed. I have changed the name in GCAT to "NK Kerolox LV" for the time being.

[PM3]

Reportedly a lot of Russian engineers have visited NK to support the new kerolox LV.

What is the source for this? I found only speculations that the engine may be Russian:

"Developing a new rocket takes at least two to three years," said Chang Young-keun, a professor at Korea Aerospace University. "North Korea likely acquired this engine from Russia and conducted several test firings prior to the launch."

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/North-Korea-shifts-away-from-toxic-rocket-fuel-with-Russian-help