DPRK launches Malligyong-1 military satellite to monitor the US and prepare for nuclear strikes, but Chollima-1 rocket falls into the sea

North Korea has attempted to launch its first satellite into orbit. It was called Malligyong-1. But the mission did not go according to plan.

Here's What We Know

The DPRK planned to use the satellite to monitor the US and South Korea, as well as to prepare launches of missiles with nuclear warheads. The development of the spacecraft was one of North Korea's top priorities.

The satellite was launched using a Chollima-1 rocket. Residents of Seoul began receiving evacuation notices after the launch. Later the authorities of the Republic of Korea said such measures were unjustified. An alert was also issued in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

Unfortunately for the North, and fortunately for neighbouring countries, the Chollima-1 rocket went down with the Malligyong-1 satellite into the Yellow Sea. The reason was "loss of thrust due to an abnormal engine start of the second stage after separation of the first stage". Until then, the flight had proceeded normally. DPRK officials are working to verify the defects that caused the mission to fail.

It is worth noting that after the launch was announced, Japan announced its readiness to shoot down the satellite. The Land of the Rising Sun sent Kongo and Atago-class destroyers with the Aegis missile defence system and SM-3 interceptors to do so. At the same time, it deployed Patriot PAC-3 anti-aircraft missile systems in the Okinawa prefecture. But as we can see, there was no need to shoot down the North Korean missile.

In conclusion, North Korea wants to join other countries whose satellites monitor the region. We are talking about the US, China, Japan and Russia. The Republic of Korea will send its spacecraft within two years.

Source: sentinelassam, NYT