North Korea put into orbit an earth observation satellite
North Korea launched a long-range rocket today (7th) carrying a satellite. North Korea said the launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a "complete success" and it was making a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes.
The Aerospace Development Administration of North Koreaw on issuing a report on the successful launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 states, “Scientists and technicians of the DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration succeeded in putting the newly developed earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 into its orbit according to the 2016 plan of the 5-year program for national aerospace development.
Carrier rocket Kwangmyongsong blasted off from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province at 09:00 on February 7, Juche 105(2016). The satellite entered its preset orbit at 09:09:46, 9 minutes and 46 seconds after the lift-off.
The satellite is going round the polar orbit at 494.6 km perigee altitude and 500 km apogee altitude at the angle of inclination of 97.4 degrees. Its cycle is 94 minutes and 24 seconds.
The U.S. Strategic Command said it had detected a missile entering space, and South Korea's military said the rocket had put an object into orbit.
North Korea had earlier notified U.N. agencies that it planned to launch a rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite.
