TheNorth Korean space program is the program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known asNorth Korea, to develop its space capabilities.
It is regulated by theNational Aerospace Technology Administration. Prior to 2013, it was governed byKorean Committee of Space Technology. As of 2023, the program was relatively unsuccessful.[1]
The Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST) was known to have been founded sometime in the 1980s.[2]
State media first mentioned KCST in February 2009, before the launch ofKwangmyŏngsŏng-2.[3][4] In March 2009, North Korea signed theOuter Space Treaty and theConvention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space Objects.[5]
In January 2013, sanctions were imposed to the KCST byUnited Nations Security Council. Three months later, after the Law on Space Development was passed in the 7th session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, the KCST was dissolved and replaced by newly-formedNational Aerospace Development Administration (NADA), which was formed on 1 April 2013.[3][6][7]
In 2016, North Korea accepted theRescue Agreement, an international agreement setting forth rights and obligations of states concerning the rescue of persons in space, as well as theConvention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. Additionally, in the same year,United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions to the NADA.[3]
In September 2023, following the 9th Session of the14th Supreme People's Assembly, the National Aerospace Development Administration was renamed to National Aerospace Technology Administration.[8]
North Korea launched the first satellite, namedKwangmyŏngsŏng-1 on 31 August 1998. On 4 September 1998, North Korea claimed that the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was successful.[9] However, the launch was considered as a failure outside North Korea.[3]
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 was launched on 5 April 2009. Similar to the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, North Korea claimed successful for the launch,[10] however, the launch was also considered as a failure outside North Korea.[11][12]
North Korea launched two satellites in 2012:Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 andKwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2. While the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 launch was failed in April 2012,[13] eight months later, the second version of this satellite was successfully launched.
Four years later, on 7 February 2016, North Korea successfully launchedKwangmyŏngsŏng-4 satellite.[3]
There are plans to launch another satellite of Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, called Kwangmyŏngsŏng-5.[14]
Throughout 2022, North Korea tested reconnaissance satellite components four times. These tests occurred on 27 February,[15] 5 March[16] and 18 December 2022 (two tests).[17]
In 2023, North Korea attempted to launchMalligyong-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.[18] Actually, North Korea launched only one satellite, namedMalligyong-1-1 on 27 May 2024 onboard a new launch vehicle using kerolox propellant, but failed.
In September 2015, NADA disclosed the development of a geostationary satellite.[3]
In September 2016, North Korea tested a liquid-fueled engine for a rocket capable of placing satellites into geostationary orbit.[3]
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".
The Unha is a North Korea family of expendable carrier rockets. These rocket have a wider first stage, comparable to that of the IranianSimorgh.
Chollima-1 is a three-stage rocket, the first stage is based on theHwasong-17ICBM.
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.
The new rocket is alleged to be a RussianAngara rocket.
| Satellite | Launch date (UTC) | Rocket | Launch site | Status | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1[19] | 31 August 1998 | Paektusan | Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground | Success (North Korea) Failure (outside North Korea) | Technology experimental satellite |
| 4 July 2006 | Unha-1 | Failure | Rocket test (See2006 North Korean missile test) | ||
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 | 5 April 2009 | Unha-2 | Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground | Success (North Korea) Failure (outside North Korea) | Communications satellite |
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3[20] | 13 April 2012 | Unha-3 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Failure | Observation satellite |
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 | 12 December 2012 | Unha-3 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Success | Observation satellite |
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 | 7 February 2016 | Kwangmyŏngsŏng (Unha-3) | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Success | Observation satellite |
| Malligyong-1 #1 | 30 May 2023 | Chollima-1 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Failure | Military reconnaissance satellite |
| Malligyong-1 #2 | 23 August 2023 | Chollima-1 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Failure | Military reconnaissance satellite |
| Malligyong-1 #3 | 21 November 2023 | Chollima-1 | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Success | Military reconnaissance satellite |
| Malligyong-1-1 | 27 May 2024 | Unnamed (using kerolox propellant) | Sohae Satellite Launching Station | Failure | Military reconnaissance satellite |
The futureUnha-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.[21]
The North Korea's lunar exploration program (Korean: 조선달탐사;Hanja: 朝鮮月探索) is the planned lunar exploration mission of North Korea.
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.[22]
In an interview with The Associated Press, a senior official[who?] 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.[21]
As a prerequisite paving the way for a crewed Moon landing, the third phase of the NKLEP would be to return rock samples to Earth with a robotic probe as illustrated by an orbital trajectory schematic seen in 2015 at the Pyongyang Science-Technology Complex.[dubious –discuss] Planned for a launch sometime after 2026, the mission will use a heavy Unha-20 booster able to place it into a lunar trajectory orbit. The landing of the return capsule would be in the Pacific Ocean.[23]
The North Korea'sMars exploration program (Korean: 조선화성탐사;Hanja: 朝鮮火星探索) is the planned Mars exploration mission of North Korea.
Hyon Kwang Il, director of the scientific research department of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, said that North Korea also intends "to do manned spaceflight and scientific experiments in space, make a flight to the moon and moon exploration and also exploration to other planets."[21]
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In 2009, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced more ambitious future space projects, including its owncrewed space flights and the development of a partially reusable crewed shuttle launch vehicle mockup, which was displayed atMangyongdae Children's Palace.[24]
In 2016, Hyon Kwang Il, director of NADA's scientific research department, said they planned to launch more satellites before 2020, including ageostationary satellite. He also said that he hoped they would "plant the flag of the DPRK on the moon" within 10 years.[25]
In 2017, NADA officials unveiled two proposals for upcoming satellites, one of which is an Earth remote-exploration satellite weighing over 100 kg, with spatial resolution capabilities of several meters. The second is a satellite in a proposed geostationary orbit for communication, with an estimated weight of at least one short ton.[26] Various media outlets have reported that North Korea was in the process of completing one of the two satellites, dubbed "Kwangmyongsong-5", however the expected launch date has yet to be determined.[27][28][29]
