The North Korean space program is the program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, to develop its space capabilities. North Korea first claimed to launch the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 satellite on the Paektusan launch vehicle in 1998. Between 2006 and 2016, it attempted five satellite launches on Unha launch vehicles. The last two were the country's first successful satellite launches, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 and Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4. Between 2023 and 2024, North Korea attempted four launches of Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellites aboard Chollima-1 launch vehicles, succeeding only on the third attempt. Unlike its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, North Korea initially attempted to legitimize its space program from 2009 by joining the Outer Space Treaty and Registration Convention. From 2023, it has cooperated on space industry with Russia. It is regulated by the National Aerospace Technology Administration. Prior to 2013, it was governed by Korean Committee of Space Technology. As of 2023, the program was relatively unsuccessful.
History The Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST) was known to have been founded sometime in the 1980s. State media first mentioned KCST in February 2009, before the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2. In March 2009, North Korea acceded to the Outer Space Treaty and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. This attempt by North Korea to legitimize its space program has been contrasted with the lack of such attempts for its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. In January 2013, sanctions were imposed to the KCST by United Nations Security Council, issuing Resolution 2087. Three months later, the KCST was dissolved and replaced by newly-formed National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA), which was formed on 1 April 2013. In 2016, North Korea accepted the Rescue Agreement, an international agreement setting forth rights and obligations of states concerning the rescue of persons in space, as well as the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. Additionally, in the same year, United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions to the NADA. In September 2023, following the 9th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly, the National Aerospace Development Administration was renamed to National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA).
Satellite programs
Kwangmyŏngsŏng program
North Korea launched the first satellite, named Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 on 31 August 1998. On 4 September 1998, North Korea claimed that the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was successful. However, the launch was considered as a failure outside North Korea. Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 was launched on 5 April 2009. Similar to the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, North Korea claimed successful for the launch, however, the launch was also considered as a failure outside North Korea. North Korea launched two satellites in 2012: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 and Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2. While the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 launch was failed in April 2012, eight months later, the second version of this satellite was successfully launched. Four years later, on 7 February 2016, North Korea successfully launched Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 satellite. There are plans to launch another satellite of Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, called Kwangmyŏngsŏng-5.
Reconnaissance satellite program Throughout 2022, North Korea tested reconnaissance satellite components four times. These tests occurred on 27 February, 5 March and 18 December 2022 (two tests). In 2023, North Korea attempted to launch Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite three times. While the first and second attempt (in May and August, respectively) failed, the third attempt (in November) was successful. North Korea planned to launch three more reconnaissance satellites in 2024. However, North Korea ended up launching only one satellite, named Malligyong-1-1 on 27 May 2024 onboard a new launch vehicle using kerolox propellant, which ended in a failure. No other launches were carried out in 2024.
Geostationary satellite program In September 2015, NADA disclosed the development of a geostationary satellite. In September 2016, North Korea tested a liquid-fueled engine for a rocket capable of placing satellites into geostationary orbit.
Space launch vehicles
Paektusan-1
The North Korea's first orbital space launch vehicle. United States classified the SLV as a technology demonstrator for long-range ballistic missile technology and dubbed "Taepodong-1".
Unha rocket family
The Unha is a North Korea family of expendable carrier rockets. These rocket have a wider first stage, comparable to that of the Iranian Simorgh.
Chollima-1
Chollima-1 is a three-stage rocket, the first stage is utilizing same engine used on Hwasong-15 is based on the Hwasong-17 ICBM.
Kerolox-propelled launch vehicle It is a new launch vehicle using liquid oxygen and petroleum (kerosene) propellants. North Korea refers to this rocket as "new-type satellite carrier rocket" without disclosing official name.
Launch history
Deep space exploration program The future Unha-20 will be able to place 20 tons into low Earth orbit and can be used by North Korea for its deep space exploration program, to explore the Moon, Mars, and other destinations.
Lunar exploration program The North Korea's lunar exploration program (조선달탐사) is the planned lunar exploration mission of North Korea.
Phase 1: lunar orbiter South Korean internet newspaper Jaju Minbo carried an article on 23 March 2012 stating that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is likely to launch a lunar exploration satellite.
Phase 2: lunar lander In an interview with The Associated Press, a senior official said on 4 August 2016 that North Korea will begin designing a lunar orbiter and lunar lander immediately after launching a geostationary communications satellite as planned in the Second Space Development Five-Year Plan. North Korea has stated its ambition to land a probe on the Moon.
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
