North Korea's First Spy Satellite Operates, Can Manuver US-South Korea Military Site's Orbital Portrait

Illustration. (Unsplash-SpaceX)

JAKARTA - North Korea's first spy satellite (North Korea) has been operating. However, its capabilities are still unknown.

Dutch-based space expert said the satellite named Malligyong-1 was detected as experiencing a change in orbit which was assessed as the result of North Korea's control.

Malligyong-1 is known to have succeeded in reaching its orbit in November 2023. This success after two attempts failed.

"But now, we can definitely say that the satellite is functioning," said a satellite expert at the Dutch Delft University of Technology, Dr Marco Langbroek, in a blog post.

North Korean state media claims they have photographed sensitive military and political sites in South Korea (South Korea), the United States (US), and other countries. The statement is not corroborated by evidence in the form of any release of images.

Langbroek then quoted data from the US-led Joint Space Operations Center, stating that the satellite was maneuvering to raise the perigee, or the lowest point in its orbit, from 488 km to 497 km from 19-24 February.

The maneuver proves that Malligyong-1 is not dead, and North Korea has control of the satellite - something that is still being debated, "he said.

North Korea's Defense Minister Response

Responding to the assessment of the operation of North Korea's first spy satellite, Defense Minister (Menhan) Shin Won-sik admitted that it was different.

According to him, the satellite shows no signs of operating or conducting reconnaissance.

However, Langbroek replied by saying Malligyong-1 had carried out orbital maneuvers. The orbital maneuver is a surprise, because North Korean satellites had never previously done that.

"Although at this time we cannot confirm whether the satellite managed to take imagery, at least the satellite carried out orbital maneuvers, so in this case the satellite is functioning," he said.

"Having the capacity to increase satellite orbit is a big thing," Langbroek continued.

He also explained that as long as Malligyong-1 is still supported by fuel, the altitude and life of the satellite can be rearranged by North Korea.

North Korea is known to have provided a statement planning to launch three more spy satellites by 2024.

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