Monday’s failed launch of North Korean satellites is seen as only a temporary setback in the country’s space ambitions, with more attempts in orbit expected, and as a possible symbolic success in disrupting space, right on the moment a major regional summit concluded.
Pyongyang confirmed the incident, which the deputy general manager of the country’s space agency blamed on a newly developed liquid oxygen and petroleum engine, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported.
The dramatic failure shortly after launch was filmed by the South Korean army and with NHK. In the clips, it appears the satellite-carrying rocket catches fire just minutes after launch.
