Apr 5, 2009
North Korea’s invisible satellite
North Korea's missile launch
North Korea claimed a successful satellite launch today…but nobody can find it.
Launch, staging…and no satellite
Using their long-range Taepodong-2 missile, they say they put a communications satellite into orbit. But reports say that, although the missile had some success—the missile, for example, managed to get multiple stages to work—there seems to be no satellite in orbit.
The first stage landed west of Japan; the second splashed into the Pacific.
No songs for the “dear leader”
The satellite is not in orbit, transmitting “The Song of Kim Jong Il” as North Korea claims.
My judgement: Scary sable-rattling by North Korea, but a lame attempt to demonstrate skill in space exploration.
Pingback: S. Korea hopes to join orbital club soon. | The Space Buff
Pingback: South & North Korea united in failure to launch satellites | The Space Buff