On February 7, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un launched a satellite into space. The satellite launched was named Kwangmyongsong, a reflection of the hope that the country will one day become more self reliant. It was launched out of Sohae Space Center at 9:00 a.m. North Korean time, and reached Earth’s orbit at 9:09 a.m.
A U.S. official said that the satellite is “incapable of functioning in any useful way”, so it seems that the only real purpose of this satellite is to make North Korea seem more modern and technologically advanced than it really is. So far, it has only tumbled in space and produced nothing.
The North Korean satellite looks like a slender cylinder, similar to America’s current satellites. However, America’s satellites are technologically superior. The most recently launched American satellite, Delta IV m+, was put into space on February 2. Its main purpose is for radar.
Kwangmyongsong is a harmless satellite. Though the satellite does not pose a threat, the launch itself may. Several nations including the U.S. believe that the satellite launch was a front to test ballistic missiles. Fully developed ballistic missiles pose a threat in that they could eventually be fitted with a nuclear warhead to expand North Korea’s currently limited reach.
This is not the first time North Korea has tried to make themselves seem strong to other countries. They have drawn attention from the U.S. by claiming that they have a nuclear program and are creating long range missiles. In addition to this, they have also boasted about having “powerful modern weapons.” However, not all of their claims can be trusted. They have also said that there is a unicorn lair in the capital city of Pyongyang.
North Korea is a mysterious place, and outsiders don’t know a lot about what life is like there because they have secluded themselves from the world. Even so, they have found a way to stay secluded and still develop a satellite and rocket capable of reaching orbit.
