An attempt to launch the first North Korean reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" (Malligyong-1) in the DPRK on May 31, 2023 with the help of a new space launch vehicle "Chollima-1" (Chollima-1) ended in failure . After the launch from the Sohae cosmodrome, the Chollima-1 launch vehicle had an abnormal operation of the second stage after the separation of the first stage, and the rocket fell into the Yellow Sea 200 km off the west coast of South Korea. On this occasion, an air alert was announced in Seoul. Part of the fragments of the missile was discovered and fished out by the South Korean side.
The launch of the new North Korean space launch vehicle "Chollima-1" (Chollima-1) with the first North Korean reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" (Malligyong-1) from the Sohae cosmodrome in the DPRK on 05/31/2023. The launch ended in failure (with) CTAK
North Korea's official KCNA news agency has released an unexpectedly frank statement about the failed launch:
Pyongyang, May 31. /KCNA/- In connection with the accident during the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite, KCNA on May 31 published a message about the following.
06:27 On May 31, 112, Juche (2023), the DPRK State Administration for Space Exploration launched a new type of carrier rocket "Chollima-1" with a military reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" from the Sohae cosmodrome in the Cheolsan County of North Pyongan Province.
During normal flight, the new type of launch vehicle "Chollima-1", after separation from the first stage, lost motive power due to an abnormal activation of the second stage engine and fell into the Korean Western Sea.
The representative of the State Administration for Space Exploration noted that the relevant scientists, technicians and specialists, assuming that the cause of this accident is a decrease in the reliability and stability of the new type of engine system embedded in the Chollima-1 launch vehicle, and the instability of the characteristics of the fuel used, began to clarify the detailed cause.
The State Administration for Space Exploration has highlighted that it will specifically investigate and find out serious errors in the launch of the satellite, urgently take scientific and technical measures to correct them, test different parts and make a second launch of the satellite as soon as possible.
From the bmpd side, we point out that the North Korean optical reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" (만리경-1, Malligyong-1, "Telescope No. 1") was first demonstrated during a visit to the installation site with the satellite by the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un on May 17. According to official North Korean data, the Manrigen No. 1 satellite was supposed to be able to survey the Earth with a resolution of "up to 20 meters" using a monochromatic camera and was also equipped with multispectral shooting and video transmission systems. The satellite was supposed to be launched into an orbit with a height of about 500 km. South Korean sources estimated the maximum resolution of the satellites to be up to 1 meter.
The Manrigen No. 1 satellite has the shape of a hexagonal cylinder and is equipped with four folding solar panels. The mass of the satellite is estimated at 300 kg.
As for the new launch vehicle "Chollima-1" (천리마 1, Chollima-1), little is known about it, except that it is a three-stage rocket with liquid rocket engines of a "new type". The length of the rocket is estimated from 40 to 50 m, the payload is placed in the head fairing of an increased diameter. The launch on May 31 was the first launch of this rocket and was carried out from a new launch pad specially built for it at the Sohae Cosmodrome..
The launch of the new North Korean space launch vehicle "Chollima-1" (Chollima-1) with the first North Korean reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" (Malligyong-1) from the Sohae cosmodrome in the DPRK on 05/31/2023. The launch ended in failure (with) CTAK
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The first North Korean reconnaissance satellite "Manrigen No. 1" (Malligyong-1) during a visit by the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-un on 05/17/2023. The launch of the satellite on 05/31/2023 ended in failure (with) CTAC
