North Korean satellite launch fails

In summary, North Korea's long-range rocket failed after 90 seconds of takeoff, with two stages falling into the sea and one failing. This is seen as a blow to the country's propaganda efforts and a downer for its citizens. However, the unsuccessful launch may be a sign that NK is close to achieving its goal of launching a satellite or ICBM. The launch also highlights the country's struggles with famine and poverty, which are exacerbated by media control and propaganda.
  • #1
Pengwuino
Gold Member
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http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11168783-north-korea-rocket-breaks-up-after-much-touted-launch?lite

PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Korea's long-range rocket failed early Friday, U.S. officials said, calling it a blow for the reclusive state's propoganda efforts.

The rocket broke up about 90 seconds after taking off, an official told NBC News...

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said the rocket's first stage fell into the sea and two other stages failed.

Okay, we can go back to laughing at North Korea again.
 
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  • #2
It is rather a downer for N Korea.
 
  • #3
Evo said:
It is rather a downer for N Korea.

Not that their citizens are aware of it. They'll just say "what launch?"
 
  • #4
mege said:
Not that their citizens are aware of it. They'll just say "what launch?"
True.
 
  • #5
I have recently come under the impression that the public believes NK has already put satellites into orbit years ago.
 
  • #6
I am glad, as we don't want the NKs having the ability to launch a long-range missile.
 
  • #7
Pengwuino said:
I have recently come under the impression that the public believes NK has already put satellites into orbit years ago.

This is true, I toured a museum there and they had a large room filled with photos of "successful" "satellite" launches.
 
  • #8
Was that museum built for North Koreans or was it built for you?
 
  • #9
Pengwuino said:
http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11168783-north-korea-rocket-breaks-up-after-much-touted-launch?lite

Okay, we can go back to laughing at North Korea again.
CNN said:
U.S.–North Korea relations recently enjoyed 16 optimistic days: between February 29, when Pyongyang signed the “Leap Day” arms control agreement with the United States, and March 16, when it announced plans to conduct the very kind of rocket launch that it had just forsworn.
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/12/why-north-korea-gets-away-with-it/?hpt=hp_t1

Who's laughing at who?

And here's what happens next: Over the next few weeks we will affirm for Baby Kim that like his father, he's the Most Powerful Man in the World (reclaiming the throne NK temporarily lost to Bashar Assad), dooming the North Korean people to two more generations of famine and poverty and South Koreans to two more generations of living in his shadow. Hilarious stuff.
 
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  • #10
Pengwuino said:
http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/12/11168783-north-korea-rocket-breaks-up-after-much-touted-launch?lite



Okay, we can go back to laughing at North Korea again.

For a while. Most countries that try to launch a satellite (or develop an ICBM) eventually do succeed, with failures of actual launches indicating they're close enough that they're actually building some and rolling out some prototypes.

The fact that the first few attempts fail is like the fact that, the first time you try running the computer program you wrote, it will probably fail. It was at least close enough to being "final" that you had to run the entire program to see what happened.

The fact that they're attempting launches in the first place usually means they're getting close to a final product.

While "rocket science" is difficult, as in takes several years, I think it would be hard to find a country that reached the launch attempt stage without eventually succeeding.
 
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  • #11
Depending on the mass of the payload and the type of orbit NK wants to achieve, it might be tough to launch from their latitude, even if they have sufficient thrust and modest mass.
 
  • #12
turbo said:
Depending on the mass of the payload and the type of orbit NK wants to achieve, it might be tough to launch from their latitude, even if they have sufficient thrust and modest mass.

Pssst! That wasn't really what they were trying to do!
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
Was that museum built for North Koreans or was it built for you?

Good point. Probably built for tourists.
 
  • #15
The amount of $$ required for the launch attempt is about the same amount of $$ to feed the entire NK population for a year.

According to The Daily Focus (A South Korean internet based newspaper) - have no idea on its credibility though...
 
  • #16
Two dollar signs is how you begin and end a segment of LaTeX code. The stuff you wrote in the middle is interpreted as variables, not text.
 
  • #17
Greg Bernhardt said:
This is true, I toured a museum there and they had a large room filled with photos of "successful" "satellite" launches.
such a strange country
russ_watters said:
Who's laughing at who?

And here's what happens next: Over the next few weeks we will affirm for Baby Kim that like his father, he's the Most Powerful Man in the World (reclaiming the throne NK temporarily lost to Bashar Assad), dooming the North Korean people to two more generations of famine and poverty and South Koreans to two more generations of living in his shadow. Hilarious stuff.
Agreed. As strange as NK may be its common people are in a bad situation, it's even worse because of extensive propaganda and media control that means they probably don't even realize.
 
  • #18
 
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1. Why did the North Korean satellite launch fail?

The North Korean satellite launch failed due to technical issues with the rocket. According to reports, the rocket's first stage engine malfunctioned, causing the rocket to break apart and crash into the sea.

2. Was this the first failed satellite launch attempt by North Korea?

No, this was not the first failed satellite launch attempt by North Korea. In fact, North Korea has a history of failed launches, with over half of their satellite launch attempts resulting in failure.

3. What was the purpose of the satellite launch?

The stated purpose of the satellite launch was to put a satellite into orbit for peaceful purposes, such as weather monitoring and telecommunications. However, many countries, including the United States, believe that the real purpose was to test long-range missile technology.

4. How does this failed launch impact relations between North Korea and other countries?

The failed launch is likely to strain relations between North Korea and other countries, particularly the United States and its allies. The international community has condemned the launch, viewing it as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

5. What are the potential consequences for North Korea following this failed launch?

The failed launch may result in further sanctions and isolation for North Korea from the international community. It may also lead to heightened tensions and potential military actions in the region. Additionally, there may be consequences for the North Korean government and leadership internally for their failure to successfully launch the satellite.

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