North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

NADA Releases Report on Feb. 7 Space Launch

NADA Seal

DPRK state media released a report from the DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration on February 7 (Sunday) in connection to its launch of a long-range rocket.  According to KCNA the report said:

Scientists and technicians of the DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration succeeded in putting the newly developed earth observation satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 into its orbit according to the 2016 plan of the 5-year program for national aerospace development.

Carrier rocket Kwangmyo’ngso’ng blasted off from the Sohae Space Center in Ch’o’lsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province at 09:00 on February 7, Chuch’e 105(2016). The satellite entered its preset orbit at 09:09:46, 9 minutes and 46 seconds after the lift-off.

The satellite is going round the polar orbit at 494.6 km perigee altitude and 500 km apogee altitude at the angle of inclination of 97.4 degrees. Its cycle is 94 minutes and 24 seconds.

Installed in Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 are measuring apparatuses and telecommunications apparatuses needed for observing the earth.

The complete success made in the Kwangmyongsong-4 lift-off is the proud fruition of the great Workers’ Party of Korea’s policy on attaching importance to science and technology and an epochal event in developing the country’s science, technology, economy and defense capability by legitimately exercising the right to use space for independent and peaceful purposes.

The fascinating vapor of Chuch’e satellite trailing in the clear and blue sky in spring of February on the threshold of the Day of the Shining Star, the greatest national holiday of Kim Il Sung‘s (Kim Il-so’ng) Korea, is a gift of most intense loyalty presented by our space scientists and technicians to the great Comrade Kim Jong Un, our dignified party, state and people.

The National Aerospace Development Administration of the DPRK will in the future, too, launch more satellites of Chuch’e into the space, true to the great Workers’ Party of Korea’s policy of attaching importance to science and technology.

An affiliate of 38 North