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Paektusan-1
25m
Human (1.8m)
1.8m
Paektusan-1 / Credits: Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons)
North KoreaRetired1998–1998
Paektusan-1
NADA / North Korea
North Korea's first claimed orbital launch vehicle — North Korea claims it achieved orbit; independent analysts disagree.
Paektusan-1 (also Kwangmyongsong-1) was North Korea's first claimed space launch vehicle, derived from the Nodong-1 ballistic missile. North Korea claimed it successfully placed the Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite into orbit on August 31, 1998, even broadcasting its supposed radio transmissions. The US, Japan, and South Korea found no evidence of an orbital insertion, and debris was tracked falling into the Pacific Ocean. The mission remains disputed to this day.
Fun facts
North Korea claims it reached orbit; the rest of the world disagrees — debris fell into the Pacific.
Named after Paektu Mountain, the highest peak in Korea and sacred in North Korean culture.
Disguised as a satellite launch to mask its ballistic missile test program.
Height
25 m
Diameter
1.32 m
Mass
22 t
Stages
2
Thrust
260 kN
Payload LEO
10 kg
Payload GTO
—
Total flights
1
Success rate0.0%
0 success1 failure
Launch pads
- Musudan-ri Launch Facility, North Korea
No upcoming launches scheduled.
