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North Korea’s satellite launch failure caused by engine, fuel problems — radio

An investigation will be carried out to identify potential design flaws and outline ways to fix them

TOKYO, May 31. /TASS/. The failure of North Korea’s spy satellite launch on Wednesday was caused by a malfunction of the carrier rocket’s engines and fuel stability problems, the state-run Voice of Korea radio reported, citing the country’s space agency.

According to the report, the rocket lost thrust and fell due to problems, observed in the second-stage engine after the first stage separated. An investigation will be carried out to identify potential design flaws and outline ways to fix them.

The second launch attempt may be carried out within the shortest possible timeframe after “part tests,” the radio said.

Meanwhile, the KCNA news agency said North Korea was determined to carry out another attempt to launch a spy satellite within a shortest possible timeframe.

“The NADA [National Aerospace Development Administration] said that it would thoroughly investigate the serious defects revealed in the satellite launch, take urgent scientific and technological measures to overcome them and conduct the second launch as soon as possible through various part tests,” the agency reported.

The rocket, launched by North Korea on Wednesday, fell in the Yellow Sea 200 kilometers west of South Korea’s Eocheongdo Island, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Earlier on Wednesday, North Korea confirmed that a carrier rocket was launched at 06:29 a.m. local time (00:29 a.m. Moscow time). On Monday, Pyongyang informed Japan and the International Maritime Organization about its plans to launch its first spy satellite between May 31 and June 11.

Last year’s plenum of North Korea’s Workers Party declared the launch of a military satellite to be one of its main goals.

North Korea launched four satellites between 1998 and 2016.

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