On May 31, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the launch of the country's first military reconnaissance satellite, named Malligyong-1, mounted on a new type of carrier rocket Chollima-1.
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| This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows activity at a newly constructed launch pad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province , North Korea, on May 30. (Source: AP) |
According to KCNA news, the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) carried out the launch at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, at 6:27 a.m. on May 31 as scheduled.
However, the news agency stated: "The Cheollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea west of the Korean Peninsula after losing power due to an abnormal start-up of the two-stage engine during normal flight."
The NADA spokesman said the reason for the failure was because the new engine system applied to the Cheollima-1 rocket had low stability, and the fuel used also had unstable properties.
Scientists , experts and engineers are investigating the cause of the problem, the official said.
NADA will thoroughly investigate the major limitations revealed in this launch, take urgent scientific and technological measures to overcome them, and conduct a second launch as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Yonhap news agency quoted the South Korean Presidential Office as saying that North Korea could conduct another military satellite launch during the period previously announced by Pyongyang, from May 31 to June 11.
On the same day, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said they were working to salvage debris from the objects.
On Japan's side, the country has held a three-way phone call with South Korea and the US and is maintaining high alert and in a state of emergency, while condemning the launch using ballistic missile technology by North Korea.
Japan has lodged a protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels in Beijing, noting that Pyongyang's launch violates United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
In addition, Tokyo also announced that it will maintain missile defense systems on alert as it did during North Korea's satellite launch.
On the US side, National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said the White House condemned the launch and is coordinating with allies to assess the situation.
The Security Council also issued a statement emphasizing that any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology would violate the agency's resolutions.
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