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Science

Is North Korea’s Satellite Now Dead? Probably

Dec. 17, 2012 4:30pm

Although it reportedly had a successful launch, after rumors that the North Korean satellite put into space was spinning “out of control” last week, experts now predict it is dead.

According to the New York Times, Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell said they haven’t picked up new transmissions from the satellite, for which the purpose was said by the country to study weather patterns and crops.

Experts Predict North Korean Satellite Is Dead

North Korea confirmed it had launched a long-range rocket and succeeded in its mission of placing a satellite into orbit last week. (Photo: AFP PHOTO / KCNA VIA KNS)

“It’s clear that the rocket part of this mission worked very well for the North Koreans,” McDowell told the Times. “They ended up in the right orbit. But the preponderance of the evidence suggests that the satellite failed either during the ascent or shortly afterwards.”

McDowell explained further that the “tumbling” some have referred to shows that the instruments on the satellite meant to stabilize it are not working.

The North Korean news has said nothing about the satellite’s failure as of Monday, a day in which it is remembering dictator Kim  Jong-il’s death.

The fact that the satellite no longer appears to be working doesn’t come as a surprise to those in the space industry. Last week after the successful launch of the satellite from a rocket, which U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland called “not peaceful use of space,” many speculated that the country had a long way to go before it would have a successful intercontinental ballistic missile.

The country has not yet demonstrated its ability to create a re-entry vehicle or a nuclear warhead small enough to mount on a long-range missile.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Comments (28)

  • bava
    Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:19pm

    It was only a matter of time. North Korea has Big Board technology.

    Report this comment

    bava  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on December 18, 2012 at 11:49am

    Now lookie the “dead” satilite…THE SATTILITE IS NOT THE “WIN-WIN”!! the “win” is the proof-of being ablw to launch and guide a GLOBAL-ROCKET, which can reach many other distant-countries…
    such-as the …U.S.A. and CANNADA!!——Y’a know….the GREAT-SATAN?!

    Report this comment

    G-WHIZ  
    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:47pm

      U are correct.. An ICBM is designed to enter outer space and fall out of the sky on the target… If they can get it orbiting. They can rocket it back to earth, with something on it

      Report this comment

      smokeysmoke  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:22am

    So moons in our solar system are really easter eggs from other civilizations as stepping stones to the stars or are they actually abandoned cities from millions of years ago when blowing up a planet in a war 65 million years ago, would create a “sand blast” storm lasting millions of years, making the solar system non-inhabitable?

    Space can be a very cruel world?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on December 18, 2012 at 11:30am

      No Offense intended, but what are you babbling about?

      Report this comment

      OniKaze  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on December 19, 2012 at 8:25am

      No sjit, Onikaze. I think I need a translator for that one, and on most day-to-day affairs I am perfectly fluent in incoherent babbling courtesy of my day job.

      Report this comment

      OhioRifleman  
  • DMENTED
    Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:40am

    Now if hu flung poo 2 would only follow suit. I can’t look at his haircut for too long, myself. I get vertigo.

    Report this comment

    DMENTED  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:09pm

    I feel so sorry for the people of north korea. you are in my prayers. something has to be done for the starving folks of north korea. seriously I am so tired of the 2 foot tall dictators like this kim kid and that short little freak in iran. they oppress starve and murder their own people. with north korea we have to do something we cannot let these folks starve any longer especially with iran teaming up with them to help with weapons programs. Pray for the people of NK.

    Report this comment

    HorseCrazy  
    • paleoconservatarian
      Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:32pm

      Set your sights a little bit closer to home, maybe. The time for foolhardy foreign enterprising is over – should have been over long ago, because leadership is better displayed by example – being and acting good and enjoying a commensurate success others might wish to model themselves after, not by browbeating every malcontent we encounter. It’s not our responsibility to right every wrong of the world. Once more, we can’t do it, especially when the wrongheaded in our own country are voting themselves political power.

      Report this comment

      paleoconservatarian  
  • Lone Ranger
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Extension cord was too short.

    Report this comment

    Lone Ranger  
  • NOTMOHAMMED
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:41pm

    Crops? Where? In the South I guess.

    Report this comment

    NOTMOHAMMED  
  • NOTMOHAMMED
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:40pm

    They shaped the pointy end like his head and it wasn’t aerodynamically stable.

    Report this comment

    NOTMOHAMMED  
  • John 1776
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:34pm

    Hard to gain control over an empty lump of metal. This was never a satellite launch, just a rocket test. What was on board didn’t matter.

    Report this comment

    John 1776  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:30pm

    Larger context people, N Korea sent it into orbit, thus proving they are not far from arming it with a nuke.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • DougHuffman
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:57pm

    Let US hope the NorKs have their inevitable nuclear “accident” As Soon As Possible. If it can be synchronized with Iran’s it would be better.

    Report this comment

    DougHuffman  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:56pm

    The countries involved are interested in delivering something with a ballistic missile, but I doubt it is weather satellites. I think it never had the guidance components or weather instruments of a real weather satellite. I doubt this was anything other than a ballistic misslie test / demonstration.

    Report this comment

    spfoam1  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:54pm

    North Korea cannot make a digital watch. Their sudden semi-expertise in making rockets came from the democratic party (under Clinton) and China. Thank you democrats.

    Report this comment

    thegreatcarnac  
  • djmaine
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:52pm

    I don’t think the satellite was the objective. Just needed a “Peaceful” excuse to launch such a rocket. One that could deliver other “payloads” a long distance.

    Report this comment

    djmaine  
  • skippy6
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:28pm

    I wonder how many heads fell off for that mistake?

    Report this comment

    skippy6  
    • NOTMOHAMMED
      Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:20pm

      Enough to help feed his starving people. Even bad meat tastes good if it’s spiced right. Every little bit helps.

      Report this comment

      NOTMOHAMMED  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:14pm

    I get this sneaking suspicion that we helped that dead and tumbling satellite along to it’s dead and tumbling status. I know it’s a stretch to think Obama has the cajones to give that order and hate to give the impression that I applaud him…. but I tend to dislike North Korea ALMOST as much as I dislike Obama. I hope we took the initiative….

    Report this comment

    TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  

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