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China-Japan-Koreas
NKoreaŽs rocket launch was a failure: analysts
2009-04-07
[Al Arabiya Latest] North Korea has failed in its third attempt since 1998 to build an accurate long-range missile, analysts say, undercutting its image as a defiant state able to project its power across the ocean.

The communist North claimed it had launched a satellite Sunday that was now circling the globe, transmitting data and patriotic songs praising secretive leader Kim Jong-Il.

But the United States and South Korea say the launch failed to get anything into orbit, and experts said the rocket's second and third stages apparently did not separate as planned.

"(It) was a failure," Joseph Bermudez of Jane's Information Group told AFP. "It seems to indicate that North Korea has not been able to demonstrate a reliable system capable of being an ICBM or a space launch vehicle."

A senior Russian military source confirmed the U.S. and South Korean reports that North Korea failed to place a satellite in orbit, the Interfax news agency reported.
Posted by:Fred

#10  If the Iranians were involved in the missle's development and launch, then perhaps this "failure" is more show than fact. North Korea is starving, econmically weak and getting weaker, and surrounded by domineering China and other powerful prosperous nations including South Korea and Japan.

The Norks have no future unless thay can break China's hold on the country - in the face of intensifying national starvation, and given the Commies' desire to never give up power or political control, this means its in their near-term, covert, startegic or national interest to start a massive, long-term regional war involving China, the USA, Russia South Korea and Japan. The alternative is implosion or de facto Chinese takeover of more ancient Korean territories.

In sum, the Norks may actually desire the break-up of mainland Asia, and the military imperialism of Radical Islam, or the USA-Allies in defense against Radical islam.
Posted by: Titus Whiter9537   2009-04-07 21:55  

#9  The way I see it, they tried for an "Orange Slice" orit, which would put it over DC around the third orbit,

(No math, just watching a sketch of where first and second stages splashed down. and extrapolating from the sketchy info available.)
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-04-07 17:47  

#8  Not so sure about this. It depends on how heavy the payload was. A two ton payload and 4000km is enough to hit all of Europe and Western Russia with even crude nukes. I don't think the Iranians, Pakis or NorKs really care about putting comm satellites in geosynch orbit.
Posted by: ed   2009-04-07 16:32  

#7  Missile failure is often the result of use of less than effectively responsive, ball-bearing mechanisms, which allow flight-path correction. Further, complex software must be employed to effect stability. The NKs revealed severe vulnerabilities.
Posted by: Crineth Barnsmell4641   2009-04-07 16:18  

#6  failure by butt. the "satillite" was probably a crock of kimchee. This was a ballistic missle test first and last and was arguably a success.
Posted by: Varmint Flolet9313   2009-04-07 14:27  

#5  I'd like to have them get used to having their missiles shot down.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2009-04-07 11:35  

#4  Totally, its a way to desensitize the world to their missile launches. Like the underground nuke test and now this, pretty soon it will be the world saying "oh, dont mind them, thats just those north koreans launching another missile, they do it all the time." And, yes, the U.N. is powerless to stop it, as is Barry. Pathetic. Someone really should make the north and south reunify and get it over with. Where is superman in this situation?
Posted by: GirlThursday   2009-04-07 10:41  

#3  Careful not to ignore the strategic propaganda success. Cost of a modified surplus missile failure? .... a few thousand more hungry mouths that won't be fed. Flipping off the US and getting Barry and the feckless UN's 'green light' for future missile launches, along with Sino-Soviet solidarity..... priceless.
Posted by: Besoeker   2009-04-07 09:40  

#2  Its like Team America World Police maybe Kim should have a gala party and invite celebrities, that way he can actually get even more attention. As if this stunt wasnt already a cry for attention. Kim, we know you exist. Now run along.
Posted by: GirlThursday   2009-04-07 07:48  

#1  Well, now they know what they need to work on next. Not quite a failure. And who knows, maybe they did it on purpose to give the world the excuse they wanted to avoid going to war.
Posted by: gorb   2009-04-07 02:27  

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