2024-02-28 09:58:39
InfoQuest News Agency (28 Feb. ’24)
A space expert from the Netherlands said yesterday (27 February) that North Korea’s first spy satellite was still “operating” following detecting changes in its orbit. This indicates that North Korea has successfully controlled the satellite. Although it is not yet known what capabilities this spy satellite is capable of.
Reuters news agency reported that After two failed attempts, North Korea launches the Mullion-1 spy satellite. (Malligyong-1) successfully entered orbit in November last year. The official North Korean media claimed that The satellite has imaged sensitive military and political sites in South Korea, the United States and elsewhere, but has not yet released any images. Independent radio detectors have not yet detected a signal from the satellite.
“But now we can definitely say that this satellite is still working,” said Marco Langbruck, a satellite expert at Delft University of Technology. Stated in blog post
Mr Langbrook cited information from the US-led Joint Space Operations Center. It was stated that from February 19-24, this satellite adjusted its orientation to increase the altitude at its orbital point closest to Earth (perigee) from the original 488 km to 497 km.
“This orbital adjustment is proof that Mullion-1 is It hasn’t stopped working yet. And North Korea can control this satellite. This was previously controversial,” Mr. Langbrook said.
South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said it had also assessed that the satellite was still in orbit. But will not comment further on any analysis. On Monday (26 February), South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said. The satellite has shown no signs of carrying out any other missions or reconnaissance work.
Mr. Langbrook wrote regarding Mr. Chin’s opinion that “Although at this time we cannot say for sure whether the satellites were successful or not, But at least it can adjust its orbit. In that sense, it still works.”
Mr Langbrook said. The satellite’s ability to adjust its orbit is surprising. This is because installing a propulsion system on a North Korean satellite is completely unexpected. And no North Korean satellite has ever been able to maneuver.
“Having the ability to adjust the orbit of a satellite is a big deal,” Langbrook said.
Mr. Langbrook concluded that As long as there is fuel left in the satellite North Korea was able to extend the life of the satellite by raising its altitude. When the orbit decreases due to loss of orbital level (orbital decay)
Incidentally, North Korea has announced that it will launch three more spy satellites by 2024.
By Phasit Aunmettajit
1709115373
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