Paektusan (rocket)
Encyclopedia
The Paektusan, also transliterated Baekdusan or Pekdosan is a North Korea
n expendable
carrier rocket
, derived from the Taepodong-1
intermediate-range ballistic missile
. It is a three stage rocket, consisting of the two-stage Taepodong-1, fuelled by nitric acid
and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, with a solid-fuelled upper stage to perform orbital insertion.
The only reported launch of a Paektusan was conducted at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, with the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
satellite. Although North Korea claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were tracked in orbit, and the United States government claimed that the rocket's third stage failed. Subsequent North Korean orbital launch attempts have used the Taepodong-2
derived Unha
rocket, and it is unclear whether the Paektusan is still in service. On this launch, the designation Paektusan-1 was used, however it is unclear whether this was a serial number
, or part of the rocket's designation.
In a nominal launch, the first stage burns for 95 seconds, before separating, and landing about 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) downrange. The payload fairing separates 144 seconds after launch. This is followed by the depletion and separation of the second stage, 266 seconds into the flight, resulting in an impact about 1650 kilometres (1,025.3 mi) downrange. The third stage, which is spin-stabilised, then burns for 27 seconds to insert the payload into Earth orbit.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n expendable
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
carrier rocket
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
, derived from the Taepodong-1
Taepodong-1
Taepodong-1 is a two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile developed in North Korea, and the weapon is currently in use there. The missile was derived originally from the Scud rocket, and can allegedly serve as both a nuclear delivery system and a space launch vehicle...
intermediate-range ballistic missile
Intermediate-range ballistic missile
An intermediate-range ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a range of 3,000–5,500 km , between a medium-range ballistic missile and an intercontinental ballistic missile...
. It is a three stage rocket, consisting of the two-stage Taepodong-1, fuelled by nitric acid
Nitric acid
Nitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming...
and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, with a solid-fuelled upper stage to perform orbital insertion.
The only reported launch of a Paektusan was conducted at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, with the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a satellite allegedly launched by North Korea on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful making North Korea the ninth country to launch a satellite, no objects were ever tracked in orbit from the launch, and outside North Korea...
satellite. Although North Korea claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were tracked in orbit, and the United States government claimed that the rocket's third stage failed. Subsequent North Korean orbital launch attempts have used the Taepodong-2
Taepodong-2
The Taepodong-2 is a designation used to indicate a North Korean two or three-stage ballistic missile design that is the successor to the Taepodong-1.-Details:...
derived Unha
Unha
The Unha or Eunha is a North Korean expendable carrier rocket, which experts say utilises the same delivery system as the Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile...
rocket, and it is unclear whether the Paektusan is still in service. On this launch, the designation Paektusan-1 was used, however it is unclear whether this was a serial number
Serial number
A serial number is a unique number assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor by a fixed discrete integer value...
, or part of the rocket's designation.
In a nominal launch, the first stage burns for 95 seconds, before separating, and landing about 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) downrange. The payload fairing separates 144 seconds after launch. This is followed by the depletion and separation of the second stage, 266 seconds into the flight, resulting in an impact about 1650 kilometres (1,025.3 mi) downrange. The third stage, which is spin-stabilised, then burns for 27 seconds to insert the payload into Earth orbit.