Kwangmyongsong-4 (KMS-4)

KMS-4 (Kwangmyongsong-4 meaning Bright Star-4 or Lodestar-4 in Korean) is an earth observation satellite launched by North Korea. The launch happened after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on 6 January 2016 and as the United Nations Security Council is deciding on sanctions to be placed on the country following the nuclear test. The launch was also timed to celebrate the 74th birthday of late leader Kim Jong-il on February 16. Details on the Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite are not available, though it can be assumed that its design is similar to KMS-3-2 which carried an Earth observation camera and a 470MHz UHF radio payload to transmit patriotic songs. KMS-3-2 was reported to be three-axis stabilized and its cameras were to be used to collect still imagery as well as videos, to be downlinked via X-Band. The satellite is expected to operate for at least four years and fulfill an Earth Observation task."

North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA, Kukga uju gaebalkuk) carried out its second successful satellite launch on Feb 7, 2016 from the Sohae base. The satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, entered a 500 km polar orbit like the KMS-3-2 satellite launched in 2012. It appears both satellite and launch vehicle are very similar to the 2012 mission. The launch vehicle this time carries the name 'Kwangmyongsong' but appears to be essentially identical to the Unha-3 launched in 2012. As of Feb 17, hobbyist observers have not picked up any radio signals from it (there was some early confusion due to signals from a European METOP satellite in a similar orbit.)

Ref.: #7(JR722), #228 - update: 15.04.17