North Korea has conducted an “important, final phase” for the development of a spy satellite that it hopes to complete by April, according to its state media.
The report comes a day after South Korea and Japan said that Pyongyang launched
two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan.
The National Aerospace Development Administration carried out the test at its Sohae satellite launching station to review its capabilities in satellite imaging, data transmission and ground control systems, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
A vehicle carrying a mock satellite, a 20m-resolution full-colour camera, two multi-spectral cameras, image transmitters and receivers, a control device and a storage battery was fired at a loft angle to an altitude of 310 miles.
“We confirmed important technical indicators such as camera operating technology in the space environment, data processing and transmission ability of the communication devices, tracking and control accuracy of the ground control system,” a spokesman for the administration said.