View source for Engineering:Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1

{{short description|North Korean satellite}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
| image                 = Kwangmyongsong.jpg
| image_caption         = An image released on North Korean television of the first experimental satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1

| mission_type          = Technology
| operator              = [[Organization:Korean Committee of Space Technology|KCST]]
| mission_duration      = Launch failure

| spacecraft_bus        = 
| manufacturer          = 
| dry_mass              = 
| launch_mass           = 
| power                 =

| launch_date           = {{start-date|31 August 1998, 03:07|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC 
| launch_rocket         = Paektusan  
| launch_site           = Tonghae
| launch_contractor     =

| orbit_epoch           = Claimed
| orbit_reference       = [[Astronomy:Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime          = [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis       = {{convert|218.82|km|mi}}
| orbit_apoapsis        = {{convert|6978.2|km|mi}}
| orbit_inclination     = 40.6&nbsp;degrees
| orbit_period          = 165&nbsp;minutes, 6&nbsp;seconds
| apsis                 = gee
}}
[[File:North Korean missile launches over Japan.svg|thumb|right|Satellite launches of North Korea. ①:&nbsp;Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 ②:&nbsp;Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 ③:&nbsp;Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 ④:&nbsp;Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4]]

'''Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1''' or '''Gwangmyeongseong-1''' ({{lang-ko|광명성 1호}}, [[Social:Hanja|Hanja]]: {{lang|ko|光明星 1號}}, meaning '''Bright Star 1''') was a [[Astronomy:Satellite|satellite]] allegedly launched by North Korea on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were ever tracked in [[Physics:Orbit|orbit]] from the launch,<ref name="EA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/details/kwa11163.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020825031126/http://astronautix.com/details/kwa11163.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 August 2002|title=Kwangmyongsong 1|last=Wade|first=Mark|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=6 April 2009}}{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}}</ref>
{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}} and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure.<ref name=NYT1>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/15/world/us-calls-north-korean-rocket-a-failed-satellite.html?scp=2&sq=taepodong+north+korea&st=nyt|title =U.S. Calls North Korean Rocket a Failed Satellite|work=The New York Times|date=15 September 1998|access-date=5 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=North Korea's space launch programme and long-range missile projects |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-space-launch-programme-long-range-missile-projects-2023-05-31/ |access-date=31 July 2023 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch.

It was launched from Musudan-ri using a Paektusan rocket, at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, a few days before the 50th anniversary of North Korea's independence from Japan. On 4 September, the Korean Central News Agency announced that the satellite had successfully been placed into [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|low Earth orbit]].

The [[Organization:China National Space Administration|China National Space Administration]] was involved in the development of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, which had a 72-faced polyhedral shape, similar to [[Engineering:Dong Fang Hong I|Dong Fang Hong I]], the first Chinese satellite.<ref name="EA-c">{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kwagsong.htm|title=Kwangmyongsong|last=Wade|first=Mark|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=6 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331175448/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kwagsong.htm|archive-date=31 March 2009}}{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}} </ref>{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}}  The mass of the satellite is unclear, with estimates ranging from {{convert|6|kg}} to {{convert|170|kg}}.

==Etymology==
The names "Paektusan" and "Kwangmyŏngsŏng" are richly symbolic for [[Social:Korean ethnic nationalism|Korean nationalism]] and the Kim family cult. Paektusan (Mount Paektu) is the highest mountain in Korea (North and South) and is located on the border with China. According to Korean nationalist mythology, Tangun, the mythical founder of Korea, was born on the mountain in 2333 BC.<ref>Brue Cumings, Korea's Place in the Sun, New York: W. W. Norton, 1997, pp. 22–25. North Korea claims to have discovered Tangun's remains in Pyongyang in 1993, and has since built a tomb for him on the outskirts of Pyongyang. See "North, South Commemorate Accession Day of Nation's Founder," The People's Korea, 12 October 2002, pp. 1–2,</ref> And according to DPRK hagiographic propaganda, the mountain is sacred as the home of Kim Il-sŏng's anti-Japanese guerrilla base, as well as the birthplace of Kim Jong il. Even though Kim Jong-il was born in the former Soviet Far East near Khabarovsk, DPRK sources claim Kim was born on Mount Paektu, and on that day a bright lode star (kwangmyŏngsŏng) appeared in the sky, so everyone knew a new general had been born.{{Citation needed|date = August 2018}}

==Design==
In designing the ''Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1'', North Korea received considerable assistance from the China's [[Organization:China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|Academy of Launch Technology]]. This assistance has continued with the development of the ''Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2'' satellite project. It may also extend to additional satellites, including a crude [[Astronomy:Reconnaissance satellite|reconnaissance satellite]]. Thus, the photographs published after the launch showed a satellite similar in shape with a 72-faced polyhedron, to the first Chinese satellite, [[Engineering:Dong Fang Hong I|Dong Fang Hong I]], itself very similar to [[Engineering:Telstar 1|Telstar 1]],{{cn|date=August 2021}}{{original research inline|date=August 2021}} though estimations of the mass and therefore the size of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 differed according to the various sources, ranging from 6&nbsp;kg to 170&nbsp;kg (as compared to the 173&nbsp;kg and 100&nbsp;cm × 100&nbsp;cm × 100&nbsp;cm of the DFH-1).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cast.cn/castcn/show.asp?articleid=15028|title=一九九六－二〇〇五年全球运载火箭发射概况|publisher=中国空间技术研究院|date=25 July 2006|access-date=28 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707015201/http://www.cast.cn/castcn/show.asp?articleid=15028|archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2021}}

==Launch==
On 7 August 1998, scientific personnel began to arrive at the Musudan-ri test site to prepare for a satellite launch. Two weeks later, Korean People's Navy vessels were deployed into the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) to track the rocket during its ascent to orbit. The launch was originally scheduled for an evening [[Engineering:Launch window|launch window]] on 30 August, in order to provide favorable conditions for observing the launch. Due to adverse weather, the window was extended, and launch occurred at 03:07 GMT (12:07 local time),<ref name="EA"/>{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}} by which time the weather had improved.

By mid-August, U.S. intelligence had detected activity consistent with preparation and support of a missile flight test, and on 31 August, North Korea launched the Paektusan-1 in an attempt to place a small satellite into earth orbit. U.S. intelligence observed the preparations for the launch, so the timing was not a surprise; however, most analysts did not expect the missile to be configured as a space launch vehicle with a third stage. The United States initially considered the launch a test of [[Engineering:Intercontinental ballistic missile|intercontinental ballistic missile]] technology, but it later noted that the rocket's trajectory indicated an orbital launch attempt.<ref name="EA"/>{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}}<ref name=NYT2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/06/world/a-north-korean-satellite-us-is-searching.html?scp=3&sq=taepodong+north+korea&st=nyt|title =A North Korean Satellite? U.S. Is Searching|website=The New York Times|date=6 September 1998|access-date=6 April 2009}}</ref>

It is thought that the Paektusan-1 solid propellant third stage both demonstrated a near full duration burn and the spin up of the stage and satellite along its longitudinal axis. However, the third stage solid motor ruptured, de-orbiting the satellite almost immediately after orbital insertion while achieving orbital velocity. U.S. officials said the launching represented North Korea's interests to build longer-range missiles.<ref name=NYT2/>

Despite the launch failure, North Korea reported Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 as a total success,.<ref name=NYT1/> with the government counting its supposed orbital passes and publishing statements of praise from international supporters.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

==Reactions==

===North Korea===
The 31 August 1998, Paektusan-1 launch was significant for North Korean domestic politics.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Daniel A. |last=Pinkston |title=North and South Korean Space Development |journal=Astropolitics |volume=4 |issue=2 |year=2006 |pages=217–219 |doi=10.1080/14777620600919168 |bibcode=2006AstPo...4..207P |s2cid=144402142 }}</ref> North Korean media did not announce the test until 4 September, one day before the Supreme People's Assembly amended the DPRK Constitution to usher in the Kim Jong-il era. On 2 September, the official spokesman of the consulate general of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Nakhodka has refused to comment to Russian news agency ITAR-TASS on the launching of a medium-range missile from the territory of his country. What is more, he said that at the consulate general itself they had learned of the launching from the media.<ref>"NORTH KOREAN CONSULAR OFFICIAL IN RUSSIA MAKES COMMENT ON MISSILE LAUNCH", ITAR-TASS news agency (World Service), Moscow, 2 September 1998</ref> The DPRK Socialist Constitution declared Kim Il-sŏng "eternal president of the DPRK" and elevated the status of the National Defense Commission, which is chaired by Kim Jong-il. In the days before and after the attempted satellite launch, DPRK media often made references to the doctrine of Kangsŏngdaeguk (national strength and prosperity) since satellite launches and missiles represent the highest levels of technology.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

On 13 September, the North Korean media reported that the satellite had completed its 100th orbit, and that it was in an [[Ellipse|elliptical]] medium Earth orbit with a perigee of {{convert|218.82|km|mi}} and apogee of {{convert|6978.2|km|mi}} with a period of 165 minutes and 6 seconds.<ref name="EA"/>{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}} North Korea stated that the satellite carried transmitters which broadcast the "Song of General Kim Il-sung", the "Song of General Kim Jong-il" and "[[Social:Juche|Juche]] Korea" in [[Engineering:Morse code|morse code]], on a frequency of 27&nbsp;MHz.<ref name="EA"/>{{Self-published source|date=August 2021}} It also claimed that the spacecraft returned data on the temperature and pressure in space, and the conditions of its power source.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

===People's Republic of China===
China stated that it had no prior knowledge of the launch and has promised the United States that it will help keep "nuclear missiles out of North Korea".<ref>Simon Beck, "Beijing 'to Help U.S.' Over North Korean Missiles," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 17 September 1998</ref> However, the Chinese government had expressed concern over the proposed joint US-Japanese Theater Missile Defense (TMD) plan and warned that, "Japan and the United States should exercise restraint and refrain from doing anything that may cause tensions in the region".<ref>"China Warns U.S, Japan About Missile Defense Agreement," Indian Express (Delhi), 23 September 1998</ref>

===Russia===
According to the head of Strategic Missile Troops Vladimir Yakovlev "in accordance with international agreements"{{cn|date=August 2021}} North Korea warned Russia of the rocket launch. Yakovlev also reported that an accident during the launch caused the rocket to change its trajectory and therefore not enter the tracking zone of Russian monitoring systems.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/1998/sep/01/northkorea "North Korea fires missile over Japan", The Guardian, 1 September 1998]</ref> However, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contradicted Yakovlev's report. Ministry sources said that no agreements on missile launch warnings exist between Russian and North Korea, and that no one was notified about the test ahead of time.<ref>Yuriy Golotyuk and Sergey Golotyuk, "Russian Pacific Fleet Scared by Russian Rocket Forces," Russkiy Telegraf, 2 September 1998</ref> A spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that although North Korea's missile launch concerned Moscow, Russia would like to have normal, friendly relations with North Korea.<ref>"Moscow Analyzes Impact of North Korean Missile Launch on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Situation in the Region," Interfax, 2 September 1998</ref>

===South Korea===
South Korea's response was relatively muted. In his U.N speech on 25 September 1998, South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Hong Soon-young called on the global community to make a concerted effort to deter North Korea from developing, testing, and exporting missiles. He also released a joint press statement with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright condemning North Korea's missile launch, but reaffirming support for the 1994 Agreed Framework.<ref>"Joint Statement on North Korea Issues," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 25 September 1998</ref>

===United States===
On 10 September, the United States announced a package of agreements aimed at defusing tensions and resuming the stalled Four Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula<ref>Jun Kwan-woo, "Pyongyang Agrees to Return to Four-Party Peace Talks", Korea Herald (Seoul), 11 September 1998</ref> U.S President Bill Clinton used his [[Social:Executive order|executive authority]] to circumvent congressional opposition to the 1994 Agreed Framework by shifting $15 million to fund the purchase of 150,000 tons of [[Chemistry:Heavy fuel oil|heavy fuel oil]] for North Korea.<ref>Thomas W. Lippman, "Perry May be Named to Try to Salvage Pact with N. Korea," Washington Post, 4 October 1998, p. 27</ref>

==See also==
* [[Engineering:Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2|Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2]]
* [[Engineering:Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3|Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3]]
* North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
* Taepodong-2
* 1993 North Korean missile test
* Taepodong-1

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwangmyongsong-1}}
[[Category:Satellite launch failures]]

{{Sourceattribution|Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1}}