Kwangmyngsng

Kwangmyongsong is the name given to a series of three suspected North Korean geostationary communication satellites. The name translates to "Bright Star" or "Shining Star" in Korean. The first satellite, Kwangmyongsong-1, was launched on August 31, 1998, by North Korea. The second, Kwangmyongsong-2, was launched on April 5, 2010. The third, Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 1, was launched on April 13, 2012, and failed shortly after liftoff. A second attempt, Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2, was launched on December 12, 2012.

North Korea claims these satellites are for peaceful purposes, such as broadcasting and telecommunications. However, the international community, including the United Nations, views these launches with suspicion. Many countries believe that North Korea uses the same rocket technology for its satellite launches as it does for its ballistic missile programs. This has led to international sanctions against North Korea.

The success of these launches has been a subject of debate. While North Korea asserts that the satellites have achieved their intended orbits and are functioning, independent tracking and analysis by other nations have often indicated that the satellites have not reached their operational orbits or have failed shortly after launch. The exact capabilities and operational status of the Kwangmyongsong satellites remain largely unconfirmed by external sources.