Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2016) |
| Mission type | Earth observation Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | NADA |
| COSPAR ID | 2016-009A |
| SATCAT no. | 41332 |
| Mission duration | 4 years (planned) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 February 2016, 00:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Kwangmyongsong |
| Launch site | Sohae Space Center |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 465 kilometres (289 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 502 kilometres (312 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.5 degrees |
| Period | 94 minutes, 24 seconds |
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 광명성―4호 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 光明星4號 |
| Revised Romanization | Gwangmyeongseong-4 ho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 |
Kwangmyongsong-4 (Error: {{language with name/for}}: missing language tag or language name (help)) or KMS-4[1] is an earth observation satellite launched by North Korea on 7 February 2016 at 00:30 UTC, using an Unha launch vehicle[2] at Sohae Space Centre in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province.[3]
The launch happened after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on 6 January and as the United Nations Security Council is deciding on sanctions to be placed on the country following the nuclear test. The launch was also timed to celebrate the 74th birthday of late leader Kim Jong-il on February 16.
Pre-launch
On 2 February 2016, North Korea sent a notification to the International Maritime Organization stating that the country is going to launch a Kwangmyongsong earth observation satellite with a launch window of 8-25 February between 2230 UTC and 0330 UTC given. The notification also included the drop zones for the first stage, the payload fairing and the second stage of the rocket, which was similar to the areas designated for the launch of Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2. [4]
On 6 February 2016, North Korea sent another notification to the International Maritime Organization stating that the launch window has been changed to 7-14 February. [5]
The launch prompted South Korea and the United States to announce that they would explore the possibility of deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD),[6][7] an advanced missile defence system, in South Korea, which is strongly opposed by China.[8]
Reception
The launch has been accused of being a test of a banned missile (Unha is the satellite launch version of Taepodong-2) capable of hitting the United States.[9][2] The launch was strongly condemned by the UN Security Council.[10][11][12]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41332
- ^ a b Ju-min Park, Jack Kim (7 February 2016). "North Korean rocket puts object into space, angers neighbours, U.S." Reuters. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ "DPRK announces successful launch of Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite - CCTV News - CCTV.com English". english.cntv.cn. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ "Launch notification reveals rocket drop zones - North Korea Tech". northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "All systems go? DPRK brings forward launch window - North Korea Tech". northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "China worried over US-South Korea plans to deploy THAAD missile system - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ "Korea says THAAD 'helpful' to security". koreatimes. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ "North Korean rocket puts object into space, angers neighbours, U.S." Reuters UK. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ Ralph Ellis, K.J. Kwon and Tiffany Ap, CNN (6 February 2016). "U.S., other nations condemn North Korean rocket launch - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "UN Security Council vows new sanctions after N Korea's rocket launch". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ "U.N. Security Council condemns North Korea launch - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- ^ Gayle, Justin McCurry Damien; agencies (2016-02-07). "North Korea rocket launch: UN security council condemns latest violation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
External links
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