Taepodong-2

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For the 2006 North Korean missile test, see North Korean Missile Test (2006).

Taepodong-2
Basic data
Function	Ballistic missile, FRICBM, Space booster
Manufacturer	North Korea
Entered service	Tested (failed)
General characteristics
Engine	Liquid
Launch mass	~79,189 kg
Length	~35.8 m
Diameter	2.0–2.2 m
Speed	7,900–9000 m/s (ICBM) 7,825–7,925 (orbital launch). 9,500–10,500 dv total with losses
Range	4,000 km–10,000 km (est.)^[1]
Warhead	Conventional Satellite Nuclear? (speculated)
Guidance	Inertial
Launch platform	Launch Pad

Taepodong-2
Chosŏn'gŭl:	대포동 2호
Hanja:	大浦洞 2号
McCune-Reischauer:	Taep'odong 2ho
Revised Romanization:	Daepodong 2ho

The Taepodong-2 (TD-2, also spelled as Taep'o-dong 2[1]), (Korean: 대포동 2호) is a designation used to indicate a North Korean three-stage ballistic missile design that is the successor to the Taepodong-1. Very little is currently known about the missile design; on July 5, 2006, one was reportedly tested and, according to preliminary reports, failed around 35-40 seconds after launch, crashing into the ocean.

1 Brief background
2 Details
3 Flights
4 Controversy
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Brief background

Based on the size of the missile, the fuel composition, and the likely fuel capacity, it is estimated that a two stage variant would have a range of around 4000 km (2500 statute miles) and a three stage variant would be capable of reaching as far as 4500 km (2800 statute miles), giving it potentially the longest range in the North Korean missile arsenal.[2] The burn time of each stage is a little over 100 seconds, thus allowing the missile to burn for 5 or 6 minutes. Future highly speculative variants of the missile could be capable of a range of approximately 9000 km (5600 statute miles).^[2] At maximum range, the Taepodong-2 is estimated to have a payload capacity of less than 500 kg.[3] Whether this would be large enough to carry a North Korean designed nuclear warhead is currently unknown, as the full development status of the North Korean nuclear program is largely unknown.

[edit] Details

According to Kim Kil Son, a former worker in the publications department of one of North Korea's top research centres, North Korea began development of the missile in 1987.^[3]

Very few details concerning the technical specifications of the rocket are in the public domain; even the name "Taepodong-2" is a designation applied by agencies outside of North Korea to what is presumed to be a successor to the Taepodong-1. The TD-2 first stage likely uses a liquid propellant (TM-185 fuel and AK-27I oxidizer) driven engine and the second stage likely utilises the Nodong short-range missile.^[4] Depending on the range, the estimated payload capacity could be as high as 700–1000 kg at short range, making it potentially suitable for conventional weapons payloads, NBC payloads as well as Earth orbit satellite delivery. At maximum range, the Taepodong-2 is estimated to have a payload capacity of less than 500 kg. [4] North Korea has yet to demonstrate the ability to produce a re-entry vehicle that works. It is doubtful that a TD-2 could be used to accurately deliver a weapons payload in the near future.

[edit] Flights

A Taepodong-2 missile was test fired on July 5, 2006 from the Musudan-ri Missile Test Facility.^[5] According to preliminary reports, the missile failed in mid-flight 35-40 seconds after launch. ^[6] North Korea also launched at least two short-range Nodong-2 missiles along with the Taepodong-2. The 3 missiles were apparently tracked by at least 1 U.S. guided missile cruiser. ^{[citation needed]} The ship's weapons systems were in a standby mode and according to Navy sources were never activated in order to track the missile. The main reason for this was the short flight time of the Taepodong-2. Navy sources unofficially stated that had the missile threatened Japan or any other country, the missile would have been targeted. Currently, U.S. officials believe that the Taepodong-2 was configured to deliver a satellite into orbit rather than as the flight test for a ballistic missile.

Failures during the testing of new rocket launch systems are not in any way unusual; the first Ariane 5 launch failed, as did the Falcon 1. The first test launch of the Minuteman missile succeeded, but the second and fourth failed [5].

[edit] Controversy

In June of 2006, U.S. intelligence reports revealed that North Korea was possibly planning to conduct a test flight of this missile. It was unknown when it would fly or indeed what the purpose of the flight would be, the two most likely explanations being a test flight or an attempted satellite delivery. The United States and Japan stated that they might consider sanctions against North Korea if it decided to go forward with the test. Both countries stated that the test or launch of a TD-2 missile by North Korea would be in violation of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, an agreement between Kim Jong Il and Junichiro Koizumi in which North Korea agreed not to test long-range missiles.

On late July 5, 2006 (July 4 in America), U.S. intelligence reported the launch of up to seven missiles, at least one of which was the long-range Taepodong-2, which failed within the first 40 seconds after launch. The launch location is believed to have been 40°50′49.66″N, 129°37′42.59″E.