Why North Korea have rebuild
the Transfer Structure in 2018/2019 ?
CSIS -- March 09, 2019
Bermudez, J. & Cha, V.
The environmental covers around the umbilical tower have been closed on
the launch tower.
38 North -- March 07, 2019
Jack Liu, Irv Buck & Jenny Town
At the launch pad, work on the rail-mounted transfer structure appears to
have been completed by March 6 and the structure may now be operational. The
cranes have been removed from the pad and the overhead trusses that were being
installed on the roof have been covered. The mobile structure is now situated
at the far end of the launch pad adjacent to the checkout building. Several
vehicles are parked near the now closed again gantry tower.
38 North -- March 05, 2019
Jack Liu & Jenny Town
On the launch pad, the rail-mounted transfer building is being reassembled.
Two support cranes are observed at the building, the walls have been erected
and a new roof added. The walls appear to be one segment taller (no !)
than the previous transfer building and new truss is being installed. The
materials that have been stacked on the pad over the past few months are gone. The environmental covers around the umbilical tower have been opened.
CSIS -- January 30, 2019
Bermudez, J. & Cha, V.
North Korea Reportedly Renews Commitment to Dismantle the Sohae Launch
FacilityThe launch pad
shows that the rail-mounted processing/transfer structure remains in
the center of the pad. The roof support structure, and portions of two
vertical walls removed. Dismantled components are observed stacked in
front of the structure and by the rail transfer point to the south.
This status has not changed in the past five months.
38 North -- July 23, 2018
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.
North Korea Begins Dismantling Key Facilities at the Sohae Satellite
Launching Station
Commercial satellite imagery of the launch pad from July 20 shows that
the rail-mounted processing/transfer structure has been moved to the
middle of the pad, exposing the underground rail transfer point—one of
the few times it has been seen in this location. The roof and
supporting structure have been partially removed and numerous vehicles
are present—including a large construction crane. An image from two
days later shows the continued presence of the crane and vehicles.
Considerable progress has been made in dismantling the rail-mounted
processing/transfer structure. One corner has been completely
dismantled and the parts can be seen lying on the ground. In both
images the two fuel/oxidizer bunkers, main processing building and
gantry tower remain untouched.
Air Defense & Space, August 03: It seems to prove my thesis
that this is just a reconstruction of the Transfer Structure. The demolition
has not progressed and the crane has been removed.
Air Defense & Space, August 27:
No
further changes.
|
July 20
|
July 22
|
August 03
|
|
|