# Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1

> North Korean satellite, lost in a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q978667](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q978667)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kwangmyongsong-1

## Summary
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a North Korean artificial satellite intended as a technology demonstration spacecraft, but it was lost in a launch failure on August 31, 1998. It was part of North Korea's Kwangmyŏngsŏng program and marked the country's first attempt to orbit a satellite.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 31, 1998, at 03:07:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Paektusan-1, a North Korean space launch vehicle.
- **Mass**: Approximately 30 kilograms at launch.
- **Operator**: Korean Committee of Space Technology.
- **Power Source**: Battery-powered.
- **Launch Site**: Musudan-ri, North Korea.
- **Outcome**: The launch failed, and the satellite did not achieve orbit.
- **Program**: Part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, North Korea's satellite initiative.
- **Followed By**: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, another North Korean satellite attempt.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Gwangmyeongseong-1, Bright Star 1, Lode Star 1, KMS-1, and Кванменсон-1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1?
A: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a technology demonstration spacecraft designed to test North Korea's satellite capabilities. It was intended to orbit the Earth but failed during launch.

### Q: When and where was Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 launched?
A: It was launched on August 31, 1998, from Musudan-ri, North Korea, using the Paektusan-1 rocket.

### Q: What happened to Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1?
A: The satellite was lost in a launch failure and did not achieve orbit.

### Q: Who operated Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1?
A: The Korean Committee of Space Technology was responsible for its operation.

### Q: What was the mass of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1?
A: The satellite had an approximate launch weight of 30 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 represents North Korea's early efforts to develop indigenous satellite technology and space launch capabilities. Although the mission failed, it marked a significant step in the country's space program, demonstrating its ambition to join the ranks of nations with orbital launch capabilities. The attempt also highlighted the technical and political challenges North Korea faced in its space endeavors, including international scrutiny and sanctions. The failure provided valuable lessons for subsequent missions, such as Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, and underscored the complexities of space exploration, even for established spacefaring nations. Understanding this mission offers insight into the evolution of North Korea's space program and its broader geopolitical implications.

## Notable For
- **First Attempt**: North Korea's first attempt to launch an artificial satellite.
- **Technology Demonstration**: Designed to test experimental technologies in space.
- **Launch Failure**: One of the earliest documented failures in North Korea's space program.
- **Part of a Program**: A foundational mission in the Kwangmyŏngsŏng satellite program.
- **Lightweight Design**: Weighed approximately 30 kilograms, reflecting early-stage satellite technology.

## Body
### Overview
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a North Korean artificial satellite intended to demonstrate the country's emerging space capabilities. It was part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, a series of satellite launches aimed at establishing North Korea's presence in space.

### Launch Details
- **Date and Time**: The satellite was launched on August 31, 1998, at 03:07:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Musudan-ri, a known missile test site in North Korea.
- **Launch Vehicle**: The Paektusan-1 rocket, a North Korean-developed space launch vehicle.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: Approximately 30 kilograms at launch.
- **Power Source**: Battery-powered, indicating a simple design for short-duration missions.
- **Operator**: The Korean Committee of Space Technology, North Korea's space agency.

### Outcome
The launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 ended in failure, with the satellite not achieving orbit. This failure was a setback for North Korea's space ambitions but provided critical data for future attempts.

### Context and Significance
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 was a pioneering effort in North Korea's space program. Despite its failure, it laid the groundwork for subsequent missions, including Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2. The mission also drew international attention to North Korea's space and missile development activities, which have since become a focal point of global security discussions.

### Follow-Up Missions
The Kwangmyŏngsŏng program continued with Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, which also ended in failure. Later missions in the program aimed to refine North Korea's satellite launch capabilities.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kwangmyongsong-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report