North Korea's Second Spy Satellite Launch Ends in Catastrophe: Mid-air Explosion Shatters Pyongyang's Ambitions

By Madz Dizon

May 29 2024, 02:02 AM EDT

North Korea's Second Spy Satellite Launch Ends in Catastrophe: Mid-air Explosion Shatters Pyongyang's Ambitions — Another meeting between North Korea and Russia has fueled speculations about a potential arms cooperation deal between the two countries. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

Pyongyang's recent endeavor to launch a second spy satellite came to a halt when it unexpectedly exploded in mid-air, according to state media. This setback deals a blow to North Korea's aspirations of enhancing satellite surveillance of its rival nations.

North Korea Rocket Launch Ends in Explosion

The footage shared by South Korea today allegedly captures the moment when a satellite, attached to a pointed white rocket, exploded right away on takeoff on Monday.

According to DailyMail, North Korea acknowledged that the launch had resulted in an explosion and the rocket fell into the Yellow Sea shortly after takeoff.

The launch, seen by experts as a notable advancement in the country's pursuit of space exploration, marked North Korea's most recent endeavor since successfully deploying its inaugural surveillance satellite in November.

A video posted by South Korea appears to have been filmed by a monitoring device on a South Korean patrol vessel. The footage shows a grainy dot that suddenly bursts into a large white cloud.

The South Korean military has released a one-minute black-and-white video capturing the moment of explosion. The video tracks an explosion in the sky, followed by flashes.

Kim Jong-un Plans Three Spy Satellites for 2024

According to reports, the launch was part of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's strategy to launch three spy satellites in 2024. The plan was discussed during a high-level policy meeting held last December.

In November of last year, North Korea successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite into orbit after facing several challenges, Reuters reported.

The launch occurred shortly after the North Korean leader's recent visit to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Collaboration in space technology took center stage during their meeting at Russia's cutting-edge space rocket launch site, the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

When questioned about Russia's potential assistance in North Korea's satellite development, Putin responded by stating, "That's why we have come here."