Posted on 02/12/2009 8:38:46 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
N.Korea 'Transports Missile to Launch Site'
North Korea has transported a missile to a launch site in Musudan-ri on the east coast using a special covered cargo carriage to make it difficult to track, intelligence agencies claimed Thursday.
This 40m-long special cargo carriage is double the length of an ordinary carriage and said to be capable of carrying the first and second-stage rockets and components of the Taepodong-2. But South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies cannot say how large the missile is.
They assume that North Korea is now assembling the missile at the launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province and could test-launch it at the earliest on Feb. 25, the first anniversary of President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration.
A South Korean official said, "The Taepodong-2, which has been transported to the launch site in Musudan-ri recently, has not been seen near the launch pad yet. We assume that they are currently assembling the first and second-stage rockets."
The missile only has to be moved to the launch pad, raised to vertical position, and filled with liquid fuel once the first and second-stage rockets are assembled. Given the time needed, it is unlikely that it will be ready for Feb. 16, leader Kim Jong-il's birthday.
Spying equipment has also recorded unusually busy activity at the site.
Of course, the launch is contingent on change in U.S. attitude. They may extend this preparation period as a step-by-step escalation. N. Korea always keeps their enemy guessing, loves to put them off guard and is intent on maximizing the dramatic effect out of their show.
Given the less than spectacular test record of TD-2s, I doubt they’ll be rushing the assembly, fueling, checkout, and subsequent launch. Of course, once they have it ready, they’ll probably launch fairly quickly after that. I don’t think these things take to well to being left out in the weather...
Is a missile fair play once it leaves the territorial waters and air space?
BTTT
PRK ping.....again.
Yep. Here we go again.
Shoot it down! How will they know.
Maybe Chia Pet want piece of that stilmus package eh?
He’s got an expensive drinking habit to pay for.
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