|
Two North Korean rockets were given the US names Taepo-Dong
1 and Taepo-Dong 2 as the nearest map reference was called Taepo-Dong.
The first of these, Taepo-Dong 1, use as first stage a Nodong missile and
a Soviet R-17M missile (Scud-M = Hwasong-6) as second stage.
The first launch of the Taepo-Dong 1 (now Paektusan-1) was made
in August 1998, although this test used a three stage missile with an additional
solid-propellant third stage added. The launch was made from the test facility
near Musudan-ri and it is reported that the third stage flew for around 4,000
km. The launch site had a single open mesh square launch platform. Preparations
were reported for a second launch in November 1998, but no further flights have
been made.
North Korea described the launch in 1998 as a satellite launch vehicle test, stating
that the third stage placed a small satellite into an elliptical orbit. US and
other reports suggested that the satellite did not go into orbit as the third
stage failed during motor burn.
North Korea reported the launch of its first satellite.
This announcement was followed on September 14, 1998 by the release of a photograph
of the satellite and the claim that the satellite had completed its 100th orbit
of the earth. Video of the launch, the satellite, and an animation of the satellite
in orbit around the earth were distributed to foreign news agencies the following
weekend.
Despite these claims no foreign observer ever detected the satellite visually,
by radar, or picked up its radio signals. What seems to have happened is that
the third stage either failed and fell into the Pacific or misfired and put the
satellite into a low orbit where it decayed very quickly before it could be detected
by foreign observers.
North Korea reported the launch of its first satellite as follows:
"Our scientists and technicians have succeeded in launching the first artificial
satellite aboard a multi-stage rocket into orbit. The rocket was launched in the
direction of 86 degrees at a launching station in Musudan-ri (40.8 deg N, 129.7
deg E) at 12:07 August 31, 1998 and correctly put the satellite into orbit at
12 hours 11 minutes 53 seconds in four minutes 53 seconds. "
"The rocket is of three stages. The first stage was separated from the rocket
95 seconds after the launch and fell on the open waters of the East Sea of Korea
253 km off the launching station, that is 40 degrees 51 minutes north latitude
139 degrees 40 minutes east longitude. The second stage opened the capsule in
144 seconds, separated itself from the rocket in 266 seconds and fell on the open
waters of the Pacific 1,646 km off from the launching station, that is 40 degrees
13 minutes north latitude 149 degrees 07 minutes east longitude. The third stage
put the satellite into orbit 27 seconds after the separation of the second stage.
"
"The satellite is running along the oval orbit 218.8 km in the nearest distance
from the earth and 6,978.2 km in the farthest distance. Its period is 165 minutes
6 seconds. The satellite is equipped with necessary sounding instruments. The
satellite is now transmitting the melody of the revolutionary hymns in 27 MHz."
Paektusan-1 has a length
of ~24 m and a launch weight of ~22,000 kg. The first stage is a
Nodong missile with a length of ~12.50 m, a body diameter of 1.25 m,
and a total weight of ~14,000 kg. This stage carries 11,151 kg of UDMH/AK-27 propellants.
It is propelled by a so-called Nodong engine, and to burns for 95 seconds with
a thrust of 284 kN (s.l.).
An interesting reference for the origin
of the Nodong engine is a Russian drawing for the manufacture
of an engine, whose measurements and outlines equal the Nodong engine. It is
probable that this engine belongs to an unknown Soviet missile R-18,
which exactly corresponds to the Nodong missile. These missile was not taken
over however in the rocket arsenal of the Soviets, probably however exports
to North Korea.
Meanwhile at first by Novosti Kosmonavtiki sensational photos of the
Chinese engine YF-2 published. It is now confirmed that four single engines
are combined with its own turbopumps. The shape of the chambers and the nozzles
are more similar to the smaller Scud-B engine than to the Nodong engine. The
Nodong engine has greater similarity to the Soviet four-chamber engine Isayev S2.1100
(Burya booster). In addition however clear differences
between all engines are to be determined. In any case, this engine YF-2 is a
creation of Isayev's design bureau. All the details are typical |
A 0.50 m long interstage joins the first and second stages. The
second stage is based upon a Scud-M missile (=Hwasong-6), with a total length of ~9.90 m and a body
diameter of 0.88 m. This stage is believed to have 4,958 kg of UDMH
and AK-27 liquid propellants. The adjustable Scud-motor burns for 171 seconds
in two times. The fuel supply was adjustable so that the engine could burn with
a thrust level of 100% and 30%. The second stage weight is ~7,000 kg. The third
stage is a Chinese spherical solid-propellant motor FG-47 with a burn time of
>27 seconds. Attached to the third stage is the payload assembly, which has a
length of ~1.90 m.
|
