Satellite launch by the DPRK is a work for aerospace development for peaceful purposes

The DPRK has dynamically followed the path of aerospace development for peaceful purposes in conformity with the global trend.

The goal put forward by the DPRK is to create its own space industry relying on its own economic strength, resources, science and technology.

The aerospace development in our country had started in 1980s.

After a long research on the satellite and its carrier rocket relying on our own strength and technology, our scientists and technicians made a great success of launching the first pilot satellite Kwangmyongsong-1 into the orbit on the very first try in August 1998.

This was the first actual test conducted in the real space environment by launching the satellite with the carrier rocket manufactured by ourselves.

On the basis of the test and observation results, 10-year-long research work had been conducted with vigor for the purpose of placing the national space science and technology on a higher level and as a result rapid development was achieved in the field of satellite launch, and preparations were made to launch the pilot communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 with the carrier rocket Unha-2 for the second time.

On March 11, 2009, we informed the “International Maritime Organization” (IMO), the “International Civil Aviation Organization” (ICAO) of necessary information regarding satellite launch in keeping with the relevant international regulations, and the satellite was successfully launched into the orbit from the Donghae satellite launching site on 5 April.

A three-stage carrier rocket worked properly, leading to the successful performance of tele metering devices, orbit measuring devices, transmitters installed on the satellite and the orbit tracking indicators and the remote receiving apparatuses deployed on the ground also work properly.

We accumulated ample experience through the analysis of survey data sent from the satellite, manipulation of changing the operating status of the satellite, test of relay-communication via satellite, and made big strides in the DPRK’s activities for space development by laying the firm scientific and technological guarantee for the launch of practical satellite.

The third satellite was launched in April, 2012.

Unlike the two previous satellites which went round the inclined orbit, the 3rd satellite was an earth observation satellite going round the polar orbit.

After that, our scientists and technicians demonstrated the overall national strength and the might of science and technology of the DPRK by putting the artificial earth satellite the Kwangmyongsong-3-2 into the orbit correctly on December 12, 2012.

 Installed in the Kwangmyongsong-3-2 were the measuring equipment and communication equipment for observation of the earth.  

On February 7, 2016, our scientists and technicians launched the newly developed earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 and put it into the orbit successfully.

Now the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, which is following the polar orbit as planned, has transmitted the pictures taken as directed from the ground control and conducted the transmission of digital information between the relay stations on the ground thus preparing itself for observation of the earth through various control.

The practical satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 will transmit the information really needed for the development of national economy like the weather forecast, harvest yield assessment, natural disaster monitoring and so on.

 In the meantime, we have readjusted the laws in a way to promote the space development, worked out a detailed plan and consolidated the infrastructure and acceded to the international treaties on the space

On April 1, 2013, the Space Development Law of the DPRK was adopted, and according to the decision of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) of the DPRK was established as the central institution which gives unified guidance and manages the supervision and control over formulation and implementation of space development programs.

We have the National Prospective Plan for the Aerospace Development and also 5-Year Plan for its implementation.

The National Prospective Plan for the Aerospace Development includes launching and regular operation of practical satellites for the purpose of telecommunication, exploration of natural resources, weather forecast that are essentially needed to develop the national economy as soon as possible.

Our satellite launch this year has been conducted in accordance with the Year 2016 Plan of the 5- Year Plan for National Aerospace Development.

To further accelerate the space development for peaceful purposes, we constructed the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province in 2012 and the General Satellite Control Centre of the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) on May 2, 2015.

In order to promote international trust and strengthen cooperation in the field of the space science research and the satellite launch, we have acceded to the “Treaty on the Principles Governing the 11 Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies” on March 5, 2009 and to the “Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space” on March 10, 2009.

The DPRK acceded to the agreement on the rescue of astronauts, the return of astronauts and the return of objects launched into outer space and the convention on international liability for damage caused by space objects on 22 February, 2016.

As seen above, our satellite launch is the peaceful and lawful work for aerospace development which was firmly advanced under harsh conditions by our scientists and technicians with the great spirit of creation based on self-reliance and self-development following the national policy of attaching importance to science and technology for the building of the economic power and the improvement in people's living standards. The achievements are the precious fruition that represents our national pride and self-respect.