North Korea plans satellite launch

North Korea’s satellite launch – seen as a covert test of long-range missile technology – will pass above Japan’s southwestern islands, including Okinawa

Sohae launch sit
Water storage
Fuel-oxidiser facility under construction
Final assembly building
Main satellite launch pad. New gantry tower with cranes to attach payloads
Rail-mounted transfer structure
50 metres
55 yards

Sohae satellite launch site

Feb 2016: Last space launch.
Taepodong-2 ICBM attempts to place Kwamongsong-4 observation  satellite into orbit

Taepodong-2 (Unha-3)
Three-stage, liquid-propellant launcher.
Range: Up to 10,000km 

Okinawa: U.S. operates 31 military installations with 25,800 personnel

Tokyo
Seoul
Beijing
Sea of Japan (East Sea)
Yellow Sea
East China Sea
JAPAN
NORTH KOREA
SOUTH
KOREA
CHINA 

400km
250 miles

Sources: 38 North, CSIS, Reuters
Picture: Pleiades NEO, Airbus
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