North Korea Admits Space Launch Vehicle Crash... "Second Launch Within a Short Period"

North Korea "2-Stage Engine Start Abnormality Causes West Sea Crash"
Joint Chiefs "Projectile Falls 200 km West of Eocheongdo"

North Korea has acknowledged the crash of a space launch vehicle it claims to be the 'Military Reconnaissance Satellite No. 1.'

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 31st, North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration stated, "At 6:27 a.m., the military reconnaissance satellite 'Manlilyeong-1' scheduled to be launched from the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, Pyonganbuk Province, was loaded onto the new satellite carrier rocket 'Chollima-1' and launched." It added, "Chollima-1 lost thrust due to abnormal ignition of the second stage engine after separation of the first stage during normal flight and crashed into the West Sea."

On the 31st, when North Korea launched a space projectile southward, citizens in the waiting room of Seoul Station, Jung-gu, Seoul, were watching related news. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

A spokesperson for the National Aerospace Development Administration explained, "The reliability and stability of the new engine system introduced in Chollima-1 are low, and the characteristics of the fuel used are unstable. We believe these are the causes of the accident, and the relevant scientists, engineers, and experts have begun a detailed investigation to clarify the cause."

They further stated, "We will conduct a thorough investigation to identify the serious defects and urgently devise scientific and technological measures to overcome them. After undergoing various partial tests, we plan to carry out a second launch as soon as possible."

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, one 'space launch vehicle' launched by North Korea around 6:29 a.m. from the Dongchang-ri area in Pyonganbuk Province toward the south fell into the sea about 200 km west of Eocheongdo Island. Eocheongdo is an island located about 60 km west of Gunsan, Jeonbuk Province.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official explained, "This launch vehicle passed over the open sea west of Baengnyeongdo and then fell abnormally into the sea about 200 km west of Eocheongdo." They added, "South Korea and the United States are cooperating on further analysis." The military is reportedly planning to recover the debris of the fallen North Korean launch vehicle. If recovery is successful, it will be possible to verify the performance of the propulsion engine, the use of foreign components, and the technological level.