North Korea's 5th satellite attempt-7th Feb 2016

[lajoswinkler]

It was a true Korean unicorn that was present at the birth of eternal leader of DPRK, Kim Il-sung. Show some respect.

[Vanamonde]

This thread is demonstrating why we had to make a rule against politics on the forum. Please keep it to space-related discussions, guys.

[xenomorph555]

I also believe it's getting a little too political.

On another not I would like to bring up something I remembered from awhile ago and that was that a North Korean scientist said that they wanted to continually scale Unha up over missions (both hardware quality and size) until eventually Unha-9 would be a large rocket comparable to the LM-3A. So chances are this Unha-4 might be larger then the previous Unha's, of course this increases chances of failure. Just a little thing to note.

Edited June 5, 2015 by xenomorph555

[Kryten]

While there are works going on at Sohae to adapt it for much larger rockets, it's doubtful that this work will be done in time for the October test, and there haven't been any clear signs of significantly larger stages being ground tested. We might see a small tank stretch like the Unha-2 --> Unha 3 transition, but chances are it'll be roughly the same rocket. It's even possible it'd be another Unha-3.

[xenomorph555]

While there are works going on at Sohae to adapt it for much larger rockets, it's doubtful that this work will be done in time for the October test, and there haven't been any clear signs of significantly larger stages being ground tested. We might see a small tank stretch like the Unha-2 --> Unha 3 transition, but chances are it'll be roughly the same rocket. It's even possible it'd be another Unha-3.

If memory serves me correctly the whole TD-2 4 1st stage came out of nowhere, adding to that if their like the Soviets the first flight might also be the first actual 'test'. But I mostly agree with you, it's just so hard to know what the hermits are up to.

[Kryten]

It's not really that hard if you look closely, and 'hermits' generally isn't all that accurate anyway-just consider that we're talking about this test four months in advance. The stage test stand is in the open air at Sohae, and satellite images show there's no scorching and the equipment nearby hasn't been moved in months.

[xenomorph555]

It's not really that hard if you look closely, and 'hermits' generally isn't all that accurate anyway-just consider that we're talking about this test four months in advance. The stage test stand is in the open air at Sohae, and satellite images show there's no scorching and the equipment nearby hasn't been moved in months.

I guess your right. Though you just reminded me though about those engine tests last year, it was always assumed it was the KN-08 although there was no real way to confirm it. Maybe we were wrong... just kidding

[xenomorph555]

Found out an interesting piece of information, North Korea does not have a thermal-vacuum chamber, not even a small one. Personally i'm wondering if this may be the reason K3-2 failed in orbit, without a TVC you cannot test electronics and equipment in simulated space conditions. I believe since they lack a TVC they cannot build space worthy electronics and therefore any satellite they build will likely fail (possibly including the upcoming one).

A large TVC is on NADA's wishlist current though, not sure if they can build one though .

[Scotius]

Testing stuff by flinging it to space. Nort Korea = Kerbals

[xenomorph555]

Testing stuff by flinging it to space. Nort Korea = Kerbals

Effectively, but as well as that NK skipped straight through any smart or safe development and launched a large 100kg+ complex satellite as it's first. Unlike other country's like Iran (who also likely lack a TVC) who started very small and basic slowly building bigger, better and more useful satellites as it went along with it's development plan.

[Hcube]

Effectively, but as well as that NK skipped straight through any smart or safe development and launched a large 100kg+ complex satellite as it's first. Unlike other country's like Iran (who also likely lack a TVC) who started very small and basic slowly building bigger, better and more useful satellites as it went along with it's development plan.

How come a TVC is harder to build than a orbit-capable rocket ? I don't know much about TVCs, but aren't them relatively simple in concept ? I think of those (i'm very probably wrong, please correct me here) like big heat exchangers for cooling (just like fridges) and thermal lamps for heating, and then vacuum pumps...

[smjjames]

How come a TVC is harder to build than a orbit-capable rocket ? I don't know much about TVCs, but aren't them relatively simple in concept ? I think of those (i'm very probably wrong, please correct me here) like big heat exchangers for cooling (just like fridges) and thermal lamps for heating, and then vacuum pumps...

Eh, they're probably like "We don't need no stinking research!".

[xenomorph555]

How come a TVC is harder to build than a orbit-capable rocket ? I don't know much about TVCs, but aren't them relatively simple in concept ? I think of those (i'm very probably wrong, please correct me here) like big heat exchangers for cooling (just like fridges) and thermal lamps for heating, and then vacuum pumps...

Yes they are simple in concept, however rather difficult to actually create requiring lot's of high quality engineering and hardware. They also become dramatically harder to build the larger they get, it's why pretty much only the 'big 4' have large ones.

It would be incredibly expensive and would take more then NK can probably provide but they may be able to achieve a reasonable one like this if the government authorizes NADA's latest wishlist.

Edited June 12, 2015 by xenomorph555

[windows_x_seven]

I think its safe to say there is no North Korean KSP players

Wrong.

쌀, ë„처엠쌀

[DuoDex]

Reminder to keep it on topic - this is a discussion of the North Korean space programme, not a critique of their domestic and foreign policies.

[LordFerret]

A little bit late for that, especially considering this thread started out a bash. Not that I have any love for North Korea and its leader, I've been biting my tongue, wondering when a mod would step in.

[xenomorph555]

Ah back to the forum after 3 weeks away, now to the news.

It seems work at Sohae continues and is nearing completion.

As previously mentioned the North have been building some sort of HAB and transporter (although I disagree with Janes that it's only for a first stage). The developments continue to confuse me, I wonder why they are building this since they were able to work without it in 2012. Perhaps it's for a larger rocket, but when will it fly?...

Anyway construction should be complete at the end of August giving them over a month to prepare for October.

[Motokid600]

Hope there engineers get plenty of rest. God forbid one falls asleep.

[xenomorph555]

Hope there engineers get plenty of rest. God forbid one falls asleep.

Lots of planes in the area, gonna need some AA defence...

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On a separate note though I have a feeling that we are going to see some sort of new rocket this year, whether it's modifications or a new stage i'm not sure.

I also have a theory that the new HAB building on the pad is actually an assembly factory for large rockets. The railroad tunnel-lift brings in components to the factory where the stage is built and them checked out. Then it gets loaded onto the tranporter , etc.

It could be true since it has been done before (N1) although the reason was because the trains couldn't transport it, the reason for NK could be similar.

[grawl]

The developments continue to confuse me, I wonder why they are building this since they were able to work without it in 2012. Perhaps it's for a larger rocket, but when will it fly?...

One of the possibilities is they are just building it for the image of their space program. We might very well be looking at fake facilities here.

What are NK space-related achievements ? Did they earned any badge ?

I heard they managed to put a satellite up, but I'm not sure.

[Kryten]

They orbited a sat, confirmed by USAF radar measurements. That's it so far.

The construction likely doesn't mean much for this launch in particular; it doesn't look like it'll be ready in time, there's no sign of a significantly larger rocket being ground-tested, and IIRC we don't even know if this launch is to be from Sohae.

[HoloYolo]

There space program is like my name.

[StrandedonEarth]

NADA? Seriously? A word I associate with "nope" or "nothing?" No wonder I have trouble taking NK seriously.

Q: "So how'd the launch go?"

A: "Nada"

Q: "Yeah, I know NADA launched it. But what happened?"

A: "Nada, zilch, squat. It's still on the pad."

[Skyler4856]

IF NK shows even modest skill with rocketry, the UN will probably have to get involved, lest long range ICBMs be developed

[Matt]

Involved? Not without China's OK and that's not going to happen in the foreseeable future. Plus nuke miniaturization is not easy, nor is targeting.