Unha-2
 
 

 

North Korea has tried to transport with a new developed space launch vehicle, called "Unha-2", the satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 in an earth-orbit. The success is controversial.  North Korea is however in fact a further owner of a space transport rocket, only short time later as the Iran.

April 05, 2009 -- Following is a full text of the English-language report on North Korea's KCNA news agency saying the DPRK had successfully put a satellite into orbit:
"Scientists and technicians of the DPRK (North Korea) have succeeded in putting satellite Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite, into orbit by means of carrier rocket Unha-2 under the state's long-term plan for the development of outer space. Unha-2, which was launched at the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground in Hwadae County, North Hamgyong Province at 11:20 (02:20 GMT) on April 5, accurately put Kwangmyongsong-2 into its orbit at 11:29:02, nine minutes and two seconds after its launch. The satellite is going round the earth along its elliptic orbit at the angle of inclination of 40.6 degrees at 490 km perigee and 1,426 km apogee. Its cycle is 104 minutes and 12 seconds. Mounted on the satellite are necessary measuring devices and communications apparatuses. The satellite is going round on its routine orbit. It is sending to the earth the melodies of the immortal revolutionary paeans 'Song of General Kim Il-sung' and 'Song of General Kim Jong-il' and measured information at 470 MHz. By the use of the satellite the relay communications is now underway by UHF frequency band. The satellite is of decisive significance in promoting the scientific researches into the peaceful use of outer space and solving scientific and technological problems for the launch of practical satellites in the future. Carrier rocket Unha-2 has three stages. The carrier rocket and the satellite developed by the indigenous wisdom and technology are the shining results gained in the efforts to develop the nation's space science and technology on a higher level…."

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- The U.S. Northern Command now said that North Korea's launch vehicle Unha-2 did not send an object into orbit. Northern Command said on its website that the first stage fell into the Sea of Japan and that the remaining stages along with the payload landed in the Pacific Ocean. (?)

 

May 07, 2009 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has reconfirmed that its satellite launch in early April was successful, the official news agency KCNA said.
The Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite was accurately put into orbit and has sent back the melodies of songs, said a spokesman for the Korean Committee of Space Technology.
The satellite has changed its movement under control of ground command and information it has sent back has been received and analyzed, the spokesman said in a statement quoted by the KCNA.
 

The design of the impressive launch vehicle "Unha-2" is a great surprise. Time before, I have believed that the first stage could be the reproduction of a Chinese DF-3 missile. That is not confirmed now. China is not involved. The first stage of the "Unha-2" is clearly a brand-new rocket. The propulsion is a cluster of four Nodong engines. All four fixed Nodong engines of cluster use its own turbopumps with their typical exhaust tubes. In the launch video is visibly the exhaust plumes from the turbopump pulsing. The turbopump exhaust tubes are inside of the airframe. Stabilizing fins are missing. Length, diameter and masses of the stage correspond not with the Chinese DF-3 missile (what I previously believed). The diameter of 2.40 m is larger as the Chinese DF-3 !

The second stage is for the attentive analyst not a surprise, since the Iranian Safir IRILV is known. The second stage of the Safir IRILV is only a down-scaled variant (probably used for the unknown North Korean Unha-1). The new North Korean larger dimensioned stage (diameter 1.50 m) probably is propelled by new small engines with higher thrust.

The third stage appears to be a solid fuel motor, likewise was used by the first Chinese launcher CZ-1. The motor is within the payload fairing. Another variant, the use of a second stage of the Safir IRILV (better Unha-1), is also possible. The Unha-2 rocket is total approximately 30.0 m long.

 

more >>>>           North Korea's space launch vehicle "Unha-2"

 

 


This is North-Korea's
new space launch vehicle, named "Unha-2"