NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

Kwangmyŏngsŏng 2

Launch Time
Sun Apr 05, 2009 02:30 UTC

First, and last launch of Unha-2. It is assumed that the launch was a failure, the third stage failing to separate from the second. 14 people are reported to have died in preparation for the launch.

Rocket

Unha 2
KCST
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 284 kN
Payload to LEO: 100 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 29.5 m
Fairing Diameter: 1.25 m
Fairing Height: 2.0 m

Mission Details

Kwangmyŏngsŏng 2

Pyongyang claimed that Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 was an experimental communications satellite as part of a peaceful space project.

According to state news agency KCNA, which claimed the launch was successful, the satellite's orbital parameters consist of a 490 kilometres perigee and 1,426 kilometres apogee, with an orbital period of 104 minutes and 12 seconds and an orbital inclination of 40.6 degrees. The satellite was said to have entered orbit nine minutes and two seconds after launch and began transmitting data and the "Song of General Kim Il-sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-il" on a frequency of 470 MHz. However, similar claims were made in 1998 for Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, whose launch attempt is believed to have failed.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 80.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Pad 1, Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground, North Korea

Stats

2009

19th orbital launch attempt

Korean Committee of Space Technology

2nd mission
1st mission of 2009
2nd failed mission

Unha 2

1st mission
1st mission of 2009
1st failed mission