North Korea claims spy satellite launch

International experts are seeking to verify North Korea’s claim that it has successfully launched its first spy satellite, an effort that South Korea asserts likely included Russian aid


Nov 21, 10:42pm local time: Malligyong-1 satellite launched on Chollima-1 rocket, entering orbit 12 minutes later, North Korea says

President Vladimir Putin pledges to help build satellites during North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia in September


Sohae Satellite Launch Station
CHINA
RUSSIA
Pyongyang
Yellow Sea (West Sea)
Seoul
NORTH KOREA
Sea of Japan (East Sea)
SOUTH KOREA
JAPAN

300km 200 miles

CHOLLIMA-1


CAPABILITY

Experts believe Malligyong-1 to be small, optical satellite with low resolution, based on wreckage recovered by South Korea after earlier failed launch

Pyongyang appears to be developing larger rocket for more-capable satellite


RUSSIAN HELP

South Korean expert says Moscow may have helped resolve combustion instability that plagued earlier launch

First stage believed to be powered by same dual-nozzle liquid-fuel engine fitted to Hwasong-15 ICBM, derived from Soviet-made RD-250 engine


Sources: Reuters, IISS, KCNA
Picture: Getty Images
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