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North Korea says its attempt to launch 1st spy satellite ends in failure

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By SEOUL/TOKYO

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North Korea having a spy satellite in orbit isn’t good news for the rest of us. May it choke on its own circuits and fall back to where it came from.

12 ( +20 / -8 )

Yeah, rudely startled while I was taking a drink of hot coffee at 0632 by "J-Alert" telling me to take cover under ground!

(This is another story for another time, but outside of the caves, and a few shopping centers, I REALLY want to know just where these J-Alert folks expect us here in Okinawa to do, when there is no "underground" to go to)

Oh and then another "alert" at 0704 telling us that it was all clear!

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Heard nothing here in Tokyo.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Heard nothing here in Tokyo.

I'm also in Tokyo. I got the alert on my smartphone via the Yahoo disaster-alert app. Flipped on the local TV news, and it was being discussed there as well.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Heard nothing here in Tokyo.

Why would you? It has been blasted all over the news here in Japan over the past few days and it has always been about the launch coming towards and over Okinawa prefecture.

Japan isnt just "Tokyo" .

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Yes the unstable autocrat Kim has overseen another questionable rocket launch.

But do we have to put up with all of the hysteria pumped up by govt and it's mouthpiece nhk.

The launch was / is being covered non-stop hours after with news reporters giving live interviews wearing hard hats in the street and Kishida et al giving "we gotta save as many as we can" scare-mongering style reports.

Report on it, admonish severely then get on with the day.

The most urgent news many people needed to hear this morning was about the approaching typhoon esp in Okinawa and other sudden heavy rainfall predictions for West Japan.

I'll take my chances with the momentary fly over, over a remote tiny part of Japan, but I do need important weather updates that affect us directly.

And of course the timing suits Kishida to a tee - nothing better than a possible "attack" warning to throw the media off the scandal of his son and his firing.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Let's cut to the chase here. North Korea is more than 90% economically dependent on China. Without China, there would literally be no North Korea.

These "satellites" aren't North Korean, they're Chinese.

Forget about infiltrating the users, get straight to the suppliers.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Thank you North Korea! You are helping Japan to rearm. thank you!

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Before Wednesday's launch, the U.S. State Department said any North Korean launch that used ballistic missile technology would violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Why not prevent launches by shooting it down?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

A NK spy satellite? how do we know that this was not a Chinese made and operated but disguised as N Korean?

I doubt that N K will be able to maintain this for a long time without Chinese support, technology, and cooperation.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It said scientists were examining the cause of the failure.

I imagine that'll be difficult from whatever prison Kim is sending them to for their crime of failure and embarrassment for the dear leader.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

First of all, this is not N. Korea's first attempt to launch a satellite. In the very late 90s or early 2000s (I can no longer remember which), it launched another satellite in an attempt to test it's ballistic missiles while escaping UN sanctions (there was a time when they actually mattered.)

Secondly, this cannot look good for sausage boy during a time of un-reported famine in DPRK.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Mark

A NK spy satellite? how do we know that this was not a Chinese made and operated but disguised as N Korean?

For one thing, it probably would have succeeded, if it was wholly Chinese, from design to implementation.

I doubt that N K will be able to maintain this for a long time without Chinese support, technology, and cooperation.

Like most of NK's weapons, technology, and space systems, there is a heavy contribution from China. It's not a secret at all. They also steal from the West, the same way their Chinese benefactors do.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

ian

Why not prevent launches by shooting it down?

Because that would be illegal.

It would also pose a serious safety hazard.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Condolences, I guess?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Tomorrow some North Korean rocket scientists are gonna the celebrity guests to the dinner show in the grizzly bear cage at the Pyongyang Zoo.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

garypen

Today 10:02 am JST

ian

> Why not prevent launches by shooting it down?

> Because that would be illegal.

So the UN council resolutions are worthless?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I am not a rocket scientist,but everyone knows at the equator has less orbital drag ,maybe Kim should launch an rocket on a barge from the equator Google Equator Orbital Drag

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

North Korea said a rocket carrying the spy satellite crashed into waters off the Korean Peninsula’s western coast

haha, they must’ve confused it for an ICBM. They’re so used to projectiles crashing into the ocean.

North Korea says its attempt to launch 1st spy satellite ends in failure

not a surprise there.

but it’s kinda unbelievable that they would announce such a failure. It almost seems fake.

they always fabricate lies to cover up their faults. Why admit the truth here?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

UN resolutions refer to the ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. A satellite launch is neither of those.

So the UN council resolutions are worthless?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

That rocket probably made it up there. They just want you to "think" that it didn't.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Kim Jong Un is relatively honest about N.K failures (well, compared to the past). They will try again and be successful. The US has satellites watching N.K so why would they not want satellites to do exactly the same in the south?

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Great last sentence in the article, leaving everything in mid-air... "because..." ;-)

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I am not a rocket scientist,but everyone knows at the equator has less orbital drag ,maybe Kim should launch an rocket on a barge from the equator Google Equator Orbital Drag

I am a rocket scientist and that statement is crap. Launches closer to the equator can take advantage of the faster spin rate of the Earth there, than at higher latitudes. At the equator, it is aobut 1600 kmph. At 32°, it is about 1400 kmph. At 35.6° (Tokyo) it is about 1360 kmph. At 38° (southern NK), it is about 1320 kmph.

Anyway, it takes less propellant and oxidizer to get to the same orbit. That means less weight for those or more payload can be lifted or a higher orbit can be more easily reached.

Now, the atmosphere is thicker near the equator due to the higher rotational speed, so drag will be higher in the lower latitudes of LEO than in higher latitudes. The Earth isn't a sphere. It bulges at the equator from the centrifugal forces caused by spinning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_bulge

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Told ‘ya

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

That rocket probably made it up there. They just want you to "think" that it didn't.

Every object larger than a softball in orbit is tracked. There's no hiding them. Even if they do crazy changes after getting into orbit, they will be found within a few hours. Orbital mechanics is a science, not witchcraft. It is extremely predictable, more so than your commute to work ... or even the corner store.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

What the hell !!!!! N.K. admitting they failed at some thing. But I thought Kim was a Dog from their mythical heaven and could do no wrong. Whatever next, a ticker tape parade in NY?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ian

"Because that would be illegal."*

So the UN council resolutions are worthless?

They don't overrule international law, if that's what you mean.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

theFu

I am a rocket scientist and that statement is crap.

Well, it's not brain surgery.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

All the others often fail too, that’s the standard case. It’s just a technology still not ripe for setting into wider practice, and even if it would work in almost every case, what for? I recommend instead everyone better uses the many resources, money and research capacities for problem solving here on Earth. It’s a very big and useless waste of everything to spend it all only into space and orbit for nothing significant. What do you expect out there? There isn’t anything for us, no final knowledge, no limitless lasting resources to grab, no healthy life due to our biological structure, no answers on life origin as every picture or information is millions of years old and away, no next planet to live on in probable reach, just nothing that brings us any further. It only costs and lowers our already limited resources here and additionally endangers environment.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

badmoonrisingToday  10:05 am JST

North Korea is the definition of Failure. It’s a failed state, an unfortunate result of the Korean War . The mutants that govern it were created through China and Russia and America’s misadventures.

What American "misadventure" resulted in the Kim regime controlling North Korea?

Fighting Imperial Japan in WWII and liberating the Korean Penninsula?

Establishing and supporting the Republic of Korea in the South?

It was the USSR that put Kim Il Sung into power. It was China (PRC) that supported him.

I think your comment is a failure.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

"But North Korea will likely avoid fresh U.N. sanctions this time because"

please don't leave us hanging

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It’s a crime because USA and Japan don’t have any spy satellites, I think?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Dear Mr Rocket Man

Commiserations on your failed satellite launch. I am sure you will succeed in a future attempt.

And not to worry, Japan and others fail launches all the time. They are even unable to successfully land a module on the moon.

Good luck with your future rocket launching endeavours.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

What ol' Jack Burton always says

It appears that attempting to be a scholar of history isn't worthwhile.

Especially when you're wrong.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Let's cut to the chase here. North Korea is more than 90% economically dependent on China. Without China, there would literally be no North Korea.

These "satellites" aren't North Korean, they're Chinese.

China has its own space and missile program, and has no need to use NK as a front to launch anything.

Although 90% of NK’s foreign trade is with China, and indeed many microprocessors and sensors in NK missiles are most likely Chinese, NK missiles are made locally off copied 60’s era soviet designs.

NK even goes as far as importing golf clubs and tennis racquets to grind down for graphite, and disassemble cameras for optics and microprocessors to use in their missiles.

NK also sells these missiles to Iran, Yemen and other ME nations.

NK is equally a pain as it is a benefit for China. China props up the Kim regime only just enough to keep NK from imploding and sending 20million refugees into its NE border, and also maintains NK as a buffer to keep a buffer between US allied SK.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Sorry Fatty, next time..

0 ( +3 / -3 )

They're going to want that barrel disguised as a rocket section back. They could use it to collect rain water.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Jay: "Let's cut to the chase here. North Korea is more than 90% economically dependent on China. Without China, there would literally be no North Korea."

Well, if you want to get technical, without JAPAN there would have been no North Korea, no North/South Vietnam, and, well, we actually were somewhat close to a North/South Japan come to think of it but they had the smarts to surrender to the US pretty quick.

But yes, for North Korea's continued existence they must get help from China.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

A failed rocket launch from a failed state.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well iam thoroughly disappointed and sorry to say with all due respect that the early warning system here in Okinawa was totally pathetic and useless.

Dude, lord only knows where you were staying but the entire island's village, town and city systems broadcast the warning. You probably were asleep and didnt hear it, or even know what you were hearing either way.

My wife and i are currently staying in Okinawa and although an early warning was sent out our cell phones were turned off whilst charging overnight and there was absolutely no sirens or loudspeakers to be heard anywhere.

How convenient, and you turned off your phones, evidently knowing fully well that a launch was eminent as your posts show you knew it was coming!

IF you are actually in the prefecture, be safe in knowing we all will be fine!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

""A satellite launch by North Korea is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions ""

Give us the name one nation that comply of even respects any U.N.S.C resolutions, Observers!! just one.

Might as well shut this council down and get something else going, how about the new world order!? ( Invade, Occupy, Annex, then start negotiating ) .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wander how many will be executed by anti-aircraft gun fire for this failure?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We shouldn't laugh at the failure of the launch, rocket science is not easy........ BUT! Bwahahhahahahhahaaaaaaa!!!!!!! The fat little Rocket Man's launch has failed Bahahhhaaaaahaaaaaaa!!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Back to drawing board NK and Others dealing with setbacks, as every great success depends on such failures!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

garypen

Today 11:22 am JST

ian

> "Because that would be illegal."*

> So the UN council resolutions are worthless?

> They don't overrule international law, if that's what you mean.

Not meaning anything, I was just questioning the point of saying it violates UN resolutions in my first post I think

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A satellite launch by North Korea is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the country from conducting any launch based on ballistic technology.

A ban of such nature could never be placed on any of the permanent members of the security council as they all have veto. Trying to use the council to ban any other nation is therefor not legal in any sense and if tried on most nations it would be ignored as a violation of sovereign rights. Until the UNSC veto privilege is removed and all nations are treated as equals, any such resolutions can be taken with a grain of salt.

North Korea is a clear danger to the region and itself, and its militaristic way of life can only lead to tragedy unless altered. But using a toothless mechanisim to reign in a nations sovereign rights is as pointless as it is time wasting.

Find a way to deal with North Korea, but do not try to use the UN as it has no ability to remove sovereign rights from any nation. This only reinforces the inabilities of the UN to deal with any rogue nation in any way unless the permanent 5 all agree, which is not going to happen unless NK turns against China and Russia as well as the west.

Actions speak louder than sanctions. And when sanctions fail, only action or inaction remain as options. Since action against NK is not possible without concensus the only option left is inaction, ie ignore them.

Reality check.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The two heavyweight pariah states of Russia and China will always support the tiniest pariah state of NK, no matter what trick the diminutive madman pulls out of the hat next.

Whether by cyber intervention or physical letter-drops from 'weather-balloons' being constantly deployed to enlighten and inform the population of NK, to foment the revolution which surely has to happen in this dreadful place - this can not happen soon enough. The people there desperately need humanitarian assistance, it's up to the free democratic countries of the world to work out in a smart and practical way how they can be helped.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is why ya don't want NK rockets flying over Japan

If it breaks up, the debris can hurt people on the ground

So, the next time NK flies a rocket over, ya should condemn it

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why not prevent launches by shooting it down?

Just a small point but in order to shoot it down it has to be launched first.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

BTW, South Korea's homegrown rocket just put up 8 satellites today. This was the 3rd flight of that rocket. https://www.space.com/south-korea-nuri-rocket-launch-may-2023

The primary payload that went up on Thursday is NEXTSat-2, a 400-pound (180-kilogram) satellite that will demonstrate synthetic aperture radar technology, according to NASASpaceflight.com. The other seven payloads are tiny cubesats. Four of those seven comprise the SNIPE ("Small scale magnetospheric and Ionospheric Plasma Experiment") mission, which aims to study the plasma environment in Earth orbit.

Nice job SK. Impressive to have success with just 3 launches.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Designers of the defective mechanism to take indefinite (permanent) leave.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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