North Korea Launch Vehicle On The Pad (Sat. Imagery)

Global Security ^ | 03/29/2009 | Global Security

[Aglooka]

New imagery of the Musudan-ri Missile Test Site taken on 29 March 2009, released by DigitalGlobe shows what clearly appears to be a three-stage launch vehicle on the launch pad. Based on imagery alone, it cannot be determined whether this is a Taepo-dong ICBM or a space launch vehicle carrying the Kwangmyeongseong-2 (Lodestar) satellite payload. News reporting from DoD officials have indicated that North Korea has been in the process of loading the first and second stages on the launch pad.

This commercial satellite imagery obtained from DigitalGlobe, clearly confirms recent NBC News reporting from DoD officials that North Korea was in the process of loading the first two lower stages of the rocket.

The service-level swing arms appear to be rotated away from the launch vehicle. The loading of liquid fuel from nearby fuel storage buildings and final check-out procedures could take place in the next few days.

[Aglooka]

[raybbr]

Wow! Is that imagery available to the public?

[houeto]

Target acquired?

[ryan71]

Can you imagine what imagery is not? It’s far better than that.

[takenoprisoner]

ping

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I think so. I love that site. Showed the horrible train explosion aftermath a few years ago in NK.

[Wildbill22]

It isn’t exactly Vandenberg or Cape Canaveral, is it?

[TommyDale]

Wow! Is that imagery available to the public?

It is posted, is it not? I am surprised it is so fuzzy.

[A.A. Cunningham]

North Korea rocket launch: First pictures of launch pad

[xjcsa]

Once they get the gigantic bottle in place, THEN we can worry.

Ping.

[Evil Slayer]

This is NOT from one of our DOD Sats. If it was, you would be able to see minute scratches on the surface of the missile’s skin. Also, they can detect if there is any radiation contained in the warhead (if one is in place) prior to launch. Of course, we have U-2 reconnaissance aircraft flying overhead.

[cookcounty]

" I love that site. Showed the horrible train explosion aftermath a few years ago in NK."

Which is part of why some folks have surmised the NK "nuclear test" was actually a massive conventional blast. NK produces vast amounts of conventional explosives.

[mmichaels1970]

Target acquired?

Heard Gates yesterday say that we weren't prepared to do anything about the launch.

[ETL]

A graphic of North Korea's Taepodong-2 long-range missile. North Korea warned
Tuesday that any United Nations sanctions imposed to punish it for an upcoming
rocket launch would cause the breakdown of six-party nuclear disarmament talks.
(AFP/Graphic)
______________________________________________

Graphic showing Japanese and US missile defence systems that could be
deployed in the event of a rocket or missile launch from North Korea. North Korea
has said that any United Nations discussion of its upcoming rocket launch would
be seen as a "hostile act" and would cause the breakdown of international nuclear
disarmament talks. (AFP/Graphic)
______________________________________________

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/North-Korea-Taepodong-2-North-Korea/ss/events/wl/121202northkorea/im:/090324/photos_wl_pc_afp/3e1ede50eb46b6e2e3f83633bf98300f/

[Vaquero]

better hope the Japanese do this, ‘cause Obama will let America take one in the shorts.

[CholeraJoe]

More shrubbery than Vandenberg, and less fog. Probably colder, too.

[C210N]

Here is a great idea for the Drive-by types, to help with declining viewership: get Cronkite to come out of retirement, and do a live launch. The 0’ I’m sure would be more than happy to arrange with friends to get a feed...

[halfright]

Thanks a bunch....I knew our collective talents are vast here on FR.

[sportutegrl]

Wow! Is that imagery available to the public?

Nah, just to Spies Like Us.

[Redcloak]

Target acquired?

Not by this coward of a president.