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North Korea’s attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit failed for the second time in three months. The rocket experienced troubles shortly after launch, crashing down east of the Philippines. The country’s state media reported that the flight of the first and second stages was normal, but an error in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight caused the launch to fail.

Despite the consecutive failures, North Korea’s space agency plans to make a third attempt in October. However, the failures indicate shortcomings with its space rocket that may take time to address.

This unsuccessful launch coincided with joint military drills conducted by South Korea and the US, which North Korea sees as a prelude to invasion. Leader Kim Jong Un has expressed the desire to put a spy satellite into orbit to monitor US forces in the region. While South Korean officials believe the satellite would be rudimentary, it could still assist Pyongyang in refining its targeting lists for new missiles designed to deliver nuclear strikes.

South Korea and Japan have protested the launch, calling on North Korea to halt its plans as they would violate United Nations resolutions. South Korea’s National Security Council criticized Pyongyang for blaming others for its failing economy while squandering scarce resources on provocations.

North Korea’s space program, although restricted by UN resolutions, has diminished in importance as the country focused on building intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. North Korea has fired 24 ballistic missiles this year alone, including four intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Source: Bloomberg

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