North Korea launches test flight for planned 2023 spy satellite
North Korea launched a rocket to test ground stations ahead of a planned spy satellite launch into orbit by April 2023, according to the nation's state-run media.
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North Korea plans to launch a spy satellite into orbit by April 2023, according to the nation's state media.
State media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced the plans on Monday (Dec. 19) following what it called an "important, final phase" test launch of a rocket in order to verify ground systems, sensors and telemetry. The nation's only English-language news outlet, The Pyongyang Times, reports(opens in new tab) that North Korea's space agency will now "finish the preparations for the first military reconnaissance satellite by April 2023."
North Korea's space agency National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) lauded the test in state-run media. "The test confirmed the important technical indices including the technology of camera operation in space environment, data processing and transmission capability of communication devices and the tracking and controlling accuracy of the ground control system," a NADA spokesperson said, according to The Pyongyang Times(opens in new tab).
