Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4
| Mission type | Earth observation Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | NADA |
| COSPAR ID | 2016-009A |
| SATCAT № | 41332 |
| Mission duration | 4 years (planned) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 February 2016, 00:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Kwangmyongsong |
| Launch site | Sohae Space Center |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 465 kilometres (289 mi) |
| Apogee | 502 kilometres (312 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.5 degrees |
| Period | 94 minutes, 24 seconds |
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 광명성―4호 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 光明星4號 |
| Revised Romanization | Gwangmyeongseong-4 ho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 |
Kwangmyongsong-4 (Korean for Bright Star-4 or Lodestar-4) or KMS-4[1] is an earth observation satellite launched by North Korea on 7 February 2016.
The launch happened after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on 6 January and as the United Nations Security Council is deciding on sanctions to be placed on the country following the nuclear test. The launch was also timed to celebrate the 74th birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il on February 16.
Pre-launch
On 2 February 2016, North Korea sent a notification to the International Maritime Organization stating that the country is going to launch a Kwangmyongsong earth observation satellite with a launch window of 8–25 February between 22:30 UTC and 03:30 UTC given. The notification also included the drop zones for the first stage, the payload fairing and the second stage of the rocket, which was similar to the areas designated for the launch of Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2.[2]
On 6 February 2016, North Korea sent another notification to the International Maritime Organization stating that the launch window has been changed to 7–14 February.[3]
Launch
The satellite was launched on 7 February 2016 at 00:30 UTC into roughly a sun-synchronous orbit well suited for an earth observation satellite,[4] using an Unha launch vehicle[5] at Sohae Space Centre in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province.[6] Regarded as sending a message to neighboring China, the launch also took place on the eve of the Chinese New Year.[citation needed]
It was initially claimed by U.S. officials that the satellite was "tumbling in orbit" and that no signals had yet been detected being transmitted from it.[7] However, it was later reported the tumbling had been brought under control and the orbit stabilized.[8]
The head of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command stated that Kwangmyongsong-4 was almost twice as large as Kwangmyongsong-3, and South Korean officials estimated the mass as 200 kilograms (440 lb).[9]
North Korea registered the satellite with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on May 9.[10]
Reception
The North Korean government organized a fireworks display in February 7, 2016 in commemoration of the launch.[11]
The South Korea, Japan, the United States and other countries have accused North Korea of testing a ballistic missile (Unha is the satellite launch version of Taepodong-2) capable of hitting the United States.[5][12] However, some experts believe North Korea is still a decade away from having the capability to successfully deliver a nuclear weapon by means of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and the launch shows slow, but continuous, progress.[13] The director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency stated the launch was not a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.[8]
The launch was strongly condemned by the UN Security Council.[14][15][16] It prompted South Korea and the United States to announce that they would explore the possibility of deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD),[17][18] an advanced missile defence system, in South Korea, which is strongly opposed by China[19] and Russia.[20]
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41332
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- ↑ North Korean satellite "tumbling in orbit," U.S. officials say - CBSnews.com, 8 February 2016
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