spacetoday.net: North Korean launch of reconnaissance satellite fails

North Korean launch of reconnaissance satellite fails

Posted: Sun, Jun 4, 2023, 9:06 AM ET (1306 GMT)
A North Korean rocket failed shortly after liftoff Tuesday, plunging into the ocean with its spy satellite payload. The Chollima-1 rocket lifted off at 5:29 pm EDT (2129 GMT but apparently malfunctioned, falling into the sea 200 kilometers west of the South Korean island of Eocheong. The South Korean military recovered at least one component of the rocket, which they believed to be the interstage section between the first and second stages. The North Korean government confirmed the launch failed, blaming it on the failure of the rocket's second-stage engine. North Korea announced several days ago plans to conduct the launch to place a reconnaissance satellite into orbit.