North Korea’s alleged second spy satellite exploded in flight of the first stage, State News explains why

The North Korean news agency claims that their space satellite failed early after launching.  

A report by the deputy director general of North Korea National Aerospace Technology Administration that was carried out by state media suggests, That the country’s new satellite launch failed at the very first stage by explosion. This is said to be the second spy satellite that has exploded till now, while the U.N. has banned North Korea from conducting launches as they’re notoriously alleged for testing long-range missile technology covering it up as satellite launching. 

The preparation for the launch were done in North Korea’s Tongchang-ri, in the county of Cholsan. In Cholsan Launching Pad named Sohae Satellite Launching ground is based, all the previous launches by North Korea also took place here.

The alleged spy satellites can improve North Korea’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly over South Korea, and provide crucial data in aid to military conflicts. 

Causes of the explosion

The vice director of the space agency explains that one of the causes of the explosion might have been a newly developed liquid fuel called, the ‘oxygen petroleum engine’. Other possibilities that might have caused the explosion are in the investigation.

Roughly, it was said that because of problem in an engine of the satellite the explosion took place.

South Korea’s Take on the launch

South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff recognizes it as an unidentified projectile that was fired southwards over the Yellow Sea and then found in fragments in the sea. 

“The fourth attempt would undermine regional and global peace and stability,” said South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. While the South Korean military is ready to exhibit its strong capabilities and will. 

The USA and Seoul have accused North Korea of sending weapons to Moscow against Ukraine. Russian engineers were sent for launch preparation sourced by a South Korean news agency.

Japan’s warning for citizens to stay indoors

An emergency warning was issued by the Japanese government for Okinawa residents amid the notorious launch and explosion of a North Korean satellite. 

The missile didn’t fly in the planned orbit and the situation is something that wasn’t intended by North Korea. It is still questionable if it was a satellite or not until further investigation, said a senior Japanese defense ministry official. As North Korea notified the launch of satellite between 27th of May and 4th June.

The speculations grew stronger as the North Korean dictator’s rare abroad trip to Russia in September and tour of the Russian modern space launch center was recalled. North Korea is trying to build space surveillance against American military threats. In support of that, three additional launches were confirmed by a North Korean leader in 2024. 

The launch against the U.N. ban has raised suspicions and as a result, neighboring countries like China, South Korea, and Japan have come together in Seoul after more than four years to engage in high-level diplomacy.  

The investigation is said to be taking place at both levels; National and International, as North Korea is investigating the cause of the explosion while countries like Japan and South Korea are investigating if it is again one of the missile tests done by North Korea, excusing it as A satellite launch.