North Korea announced on Monday 19 a “significant final-stage test” for the development of a spy satellite that should be completed by April next year.
Analysts said the development of such a satellite would allow the North Korean government to hide tests of banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), as they share much of the same technology.
The announcement of the test came a day after the South Korean Armed Forces announced that two medium-range ballistic missiles had been launched from the North.
A spokesperson for the National Aeronautics and Space Development Agency (NADA) told state news agency KCNA that the launches represent “an important end-stage test for the development of (a) reconnaissance satellite”.
Sunday’s tests confirmed “significant technical indexes”, including the operation of a camera in space and the data processing and transmission capacity of communication devices.
State media also noted that the vehicle carrying the test satellite, consisting of cameras, image transmitters and receivers, control devices and batteries, reached an altitude of 500 kilometers when launched from a high angle.
Before adding that preparations will be completed in April, the spokesperson added, “The agency stated that it is a great achievement to have passed the final phase of launching the (a) reconnaissance satellite.” said.
Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers Party in North Korea, has published two black and white photographs showing the territory of South Korea viewed from space.
The development of a military reconnaissance satellite was one of the main projects presented by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year.
Pyongyang had two launches earlier this year that the United States and South Korea launched to test components of a reconnaissance satellite that it said could be elements of a new ICBM.
The North on Thursday tested a “high-thrust solid fuel engine” that analysts said would allow for faster launch of ballistic missiles.
So far, all of Pyongyang’s known ICBMs run on liquid fuel. Kim Jong Un announced last year that he wanted to have a solid-fuel ICBM that could be launched from land or submarine.
Kim has expressed North Korea’s intention to have the most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world by force.
Washington and Seoul have warned that Pyongyang is preparing for the seventh nuclear test in its history.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.