North Korea claims that a failed launch on May 31 was an attempt to place what Pyongyang termed a “military reconnaissance satellite” into orbit. The satellite, known as Mallingyong‑1, was carried by a Chollima‑1 rocket. The launch vehicle failed in flight and impacted the Yellow Sea.
North Korea’s Intentions, Out in the Open
Because any test of a space launch vehicle (SLV) also tests ballistic missile capabilities, the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and others consider the tests violations of numerous UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit and …