Kwangmyongsong-3 F2

Spacecraft nr:

N. Korean spacecraft nr: 4

Launch data: Designation  39026 / 12072A Launch date  12 Dec 2012 - 00:50? UT Launch site  Sohae Satellite Center Launch vehicle  Unha-3 Mission  Earth observation, technology Sun-synchronous Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  494 x 588 km Eccentricity   Inclination  97.4 deg Period  95.4 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• Kwangmyongsong 3 is a North Korean Earth observation satellite, which according to the DPRK is designed for weather forecast purposes, and whose launch is widely portrayed in the West to be a veiled ballistic missile test.

Mission details:

• The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Choson Minjujuui Inmin Konghwaguk) carried out its fourth satellite launch attempt at around 0049-0051 UTC on Dec 12. The Unha-3 rocket carried the second flight model of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite. Initial reports indicated that the first and second stages of the rocket fired successfully with second stage impact near the Phillipines. US tracking then cataloged object 39026 as 2012-072A in a 494 x 588 km x 97.4 deg sun-synchronous orbit with a 0900 local time descending node; two further objects were cataloged in similar 497 x 582 and 498 x 570 km orbits.
  'Kwangmyongsong' means 'lodestar' or 'star of hope' and is believed to be a reference to former leader Kim Jong Il. The launch is consistent with flight on an 88 deg trajectory from Sohae launch site followed by a yawed third stage burn to put the satellite in a 97 deg orbit.
• North Korean satellite attempts:

     Date         Rocket        Payload            Planned orbit          Result
  
     1998 Aug 31  Paektusan-1   Kwangmyongsong-1    219 x 6978 km x 41 deg Stage 3 failed, fell in ocean
     2009 Apr  5  Unha-2        Kwangmyongsong-2    490 x 1426 km x 41 deg Stage 3 failed, fell in ocean
     2012 Apr 12  Unha-3        Kwangmyongsong-3    500 x 500 x 97.4       Stage 1 failed, short range
     2012 Dec 12  Unha-3        Kwangmyongsong-3/F2 500 x 500 x 97.4       494 x 588 x 97.4, success
  

• Jan 2013: Four objects have been cataloged in orbit associated with the NK launch:
  the Kwangmyongsong-3 F2 satellite, the Unha-3 rocket stage and two debris pieces. Optical observations by Greg Roberts in S Africa show a 16-s periodic brightening indicating the satellite is spinning or tumbling, which is the natural state of a satellite if its size and shape. The satellite was thought to carry reaction wheels or some similar three-axis stabilization system, but this does not seem to be working at the moment. News reports describing the satellite as 'out of control' could be premature, as it is possible that the stabilization system is designed to be activated some time after launch. However, the failure to pick up signals at 470 MHz by independent observers in the US and UK, is strong circumstantial evidence that the satellite's transmitter is not working and that the satellite is most likely dead. At this point in early January, the continuing lack of signal reports make this conclusion all the more likely.
• On Jan 1, 2013 the orbits were:
  

     A (satellite)  497 x 581 km x 97.40 deg
     B (rocket)     496 x 589 km x 97.40 deg
     C (debris)     497 x 571 km x 97.45 deg
     D (debris)     497 x 586 km x 97.36 deg