North Korea Rocket Stage Explodes After Separation During Launch, Video Suggests
In a stunning turn of events, new footage captured from a camera used by South Korea’s Yonsei University suggests that one of North Korea’s rocket stages exploded after separation during its latest launch. Analysts suspect that this explosion was a deliberate attempt to prevent recovery of the remaining parts. The video shows the first and second stages of the rocket, with the first stage detonating after the separation of the second stage. Experts believe that this unusual measure was taken to hinder South Korean and U.S. authorities from accessing the propellant, which is equipped with a new engine.
This time they appear to have detonated the first stage propellant in mid-air, said Byun Yong-Ik, an astronomy professor at Yonsei University. This kind of measure was not seen in the previous launch attempts, and it could have been an effort to prevent South Korean and U.S. authorities from recovering the propellant as it is equipped with a new engine.
Satellite expert Marco Langbroek from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands also weighed in on the video, highlighting the rarity of such an explosion during rocket launches. Typically, rocket stages are left to fall into the sea. Langbroek questioned whether the explosion was intentional or accidental. However, North Korea previously admitted to using a destruct mechanism during its failed launch in August as a safety measure.
While the act’s intention remains uncertain, tensions between North and South Korea continue to rise. North Korea has suspended its military pact with Seoul and issued a warning about deploying armed forces and advanced military equipment in border areas. Additionally, the South Korean army is actively seeking to locate and recover debris from the rocket. This latest development further strains the delicate relationship between the two countries.
As the situation unfolds, it is evident that North Korea’s rocket explosion raises significant concerns about regional security and the country’s intentions. The international community is closely monitoring the escalating tensions as both North and South Korea engage in provocative actions that threaten to jeopardize the fragile peace in the region.
