# Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2

> North Korean Earth observation satellite; first satellite orbited by North Korea

**Wikidata**: [Q862204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862204)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3_Unit_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kwangmyongsong-3-unit-2

## Summary
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 is a North Korean Earth observation satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft that holds the distinction of being the first satellite successfully orbited by North Korea. Launched on December 12, 2012, by the Korean Committee of Space Technology, it remained in orbit for over a decade before re-entering the atmosphere on September 13, 2023.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Earth observation satellite and technology demonstration spacecraft; currently a former entity.
- **Historical Status:** First satellite successfully orbited by North Korea.
- **Launch Date:** December 12, 2012, at 00:49:46.
- **Launch Site:** Sohae Satellite Launching Station.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Unha-3 (flight 4).
- **Orbit Decay:** September 13, 2023 (atmospheric entry).
- **Mass:** Approximately 100 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Power:** Powered by 3 spacecraft solar arrays.
- **Operator:** Korean Committee of Space Technology.
- **Manufacturer:** Institute of Military Electronics.
- **Program:** Part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program.
- **Predecessor:** Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 (lost in launch failure).
- **Successor:** Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4.
- **Identifiers:**
  - COSPAR ID: 2012-072A
  - NSSDCA ID: 2012-072A
  - SCN: 39026
  - Wolfram Language Entity Code: Entity["Satellite", "39026"]
- **Aliases:** Gwangmyeongseong-3 Unit 2, Bright Star 3-2, Lode Star 3-2, KMS-3 2, KMS-3 Unit 2, 光明星3号.
- **Country of Origin:** North Korea.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Article title "Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2" exists in 13 languages (da, de, en, es, fr, id, it, ja, ko, lv, simple, vi, zh).

## FAQs
**When was Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 launched and how long did it stay in orbit?**
The satellite was launched on December 12, 2012, at 00:49:46 from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station. It remained in space for nearly 11 years before its orbit decayed on September 13, 2023.

**What organizations were responsible for building and operating the satellite?**
The Institute of Military Electronics manufactured the spacecraft, while the Korean Committee of Space Technology served as its operator. Both entities are based in North Korea.

**What are the technical specifications and identifiers of this satellite?**
It has a launch mass of approximately 100 kilograms, is powered by three solar arrays, and carries the COSPAR ID 2012-072A and NSSDCA ID 2012-072A. It is also cataloged as SCN 39026.

**How does this satellite differ from its predecessor?**
Unlike its predecessor, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, which was lost in a launch failure, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 successfully achieved orbit. It was the second attempt in the series and the first successful orbital insertion for North Korea.

**What rocket was used to deploy the satellite?**
The satellite was deployed using the Unha-3 expendable launch vehicle during its fourth flight.

## Why It Matters
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 represents a pivotal milestone in North Korean aerospace history as the nation's first successful orbital satellite. Its successful launch demonstrated the operational viability of the Unha-3 launch vehicle and the technical capabilities of the Institute of Military Electronics in producing flight-ready hardware. As a technology demonstration spacecraft, it provided the foundation for subsequent iterations in the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, such as the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4. The satellite's longevity, remaining operational for over a decade, also provided long-term data on Earth observation and satellite endurance within the specific design parameters of the North Korean space program.

## Notable For
- Being the first satellite successfully orbited by North Korea.
- Serving as a technology demonstration spacecraft to prove experimental North Korean technologies.
- Being part of the broader Kwangmyŏngsŏng satellite program.
- Utilizing the Unha-3 launch vehicle for its deployment.
- Remaining in orbit for nearly 11 years before atmospheric re-entry.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 is classified as both an Earth observation satellite and a technology demonstration spacecraft. As a former entity, it no longer operates, having concluded its mission with atmospheric entry. The satellite is known by several aliases, including Gwangmyeongseong-3 Unit 2, Bright Star 3-2, Lode Star 3-2, KMS-3 2, KMS-3 Unit 2, and the native designation 光明星3号. It is recognized globally under various identifiers, including the COSPAR ID 2012-072A, NSSDCA ID 2012-072A, and the catalog number SCN 39026.

### Launch and Orbit
The spacecraft was launched on December 12, 2012, at precisely 00:49:46. The launch took place at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, utilizing the Unha-3 expendable launch vehicle on its fourth flight. This mission followed the failed launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, which was lost during ascent. The successful insertion of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 into orbit marked a significant achievement for the country's space program. The satellite continued to orbit until its significant event of atmospheric entry occurred on September 13, 2023.

### Technical Specifications
Technically, the satellite had a launch weight of approximately 100 kilograms. It was equipped with three spacecraft solar arrays to power its systems. The spacecraft was designed to observe Earth from orbit, fulfilling its function as an Earth observation satellite. Its Wolfram Language entity code is Entity["Satellite", "39026"], and it is documented in 13 different languages on Wikipedia, reflecting its international notoriety and significance.

### Program and Relationships
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 is an integral component of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, a North Korean satellite initiative. The program encompasses the development and launch of various satellite models. The operator of the satellite was the Korean Committee of Space Technology, while the manufacturing responsibilities were held by the Institute of Military Electronics, a military research institute in North Korea. In the sequence of satellite development, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 was directly preceded by the failed Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 and was followed by the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 satellite.

### Operational History and End of Life
The satellite's operational life spanned from its launch in late 2012 to its decay in 2023. Throughout this period, it functioned as a technology demonstration, validating the design and manufacturing processes of North Korean aerospace entities. The mission concluded with the satellite's time of object orbit decay on September 13, 2023, as confirmed by space tracking organizations. This event marked the transition of the satellite from an active orbital asset to a former entity that had re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kwangmyongsong-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.space-track.org/#decay)
4. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=39026)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013