Hazmat suits to protect against radioactive particles.
You know, from the compact, lightweight reactor used to power the laser/particle beam.
The hazmat suits are a dead give away and I’m surprised they were allowed to be photographed.
They are testing an anti-satellite weapon.
Your comments about protective gear occurred to me, and I agree with your take on it. It is rather revealing isn’t it.
Why would they need all that protection?
They may be solely anti-satellite oriented, but they may also be an SDI or even ground deterrent device too.
This is obviously above my pay grade, but these things do occur to me.
Kim’s failed missile launches are also fodder for speculation.