View source for Unha

{{short description|North Korean expendable carrier rocket}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{about|the North Korean rocket|the given name|Eun-ha|other uses|Unha (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox rocket
|name = Unha
|image = North Korean Unha-3 rocket at launch pad.jpg
|caption = Unha-3 at launch pad in April 2012
|function = Expendable [[launch vehicle|carrier rocket]]
|manufacturer = [[National Aerospace Development Administration]]
|country-origin = North Korea
|height = {{convert|28-30|m}}<ref name="b14643">{{cite web|url=https://www.b14643.eu/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Unha-3/Description/Frame.htm|title=Unha-3|first=Norbert|last=Brugge|work=Space Rockets Rest Of World|access-date=2025-01-11}}</ref>
|diameter = {{convert|2.4|m}}
|mass = {{convert|86,750-91,000|kg}}
|stages = 3
|capacities = 
  {{Infobox rocket/payload
  |location =  [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]]
  |kilos    =  {{cvt|200|kg}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spaceflight101.com/status-of-north-korean-satellite-unknown-after-prolonged-radio-silence-reports-of-tumbling/|title=Status of North Korean Satellite unknown after prolonged Radio Silence, Reports of Tumbling – Spaceflight101|date=12 February 2016|access-date=30 December 2017|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112061955/http://spaceflight101.com/status-of-north-korean-satellite-unknown-after-prolonged-radio-silence-reports-of-tumbling/|url-status=dead}}</ref> (465 x 502 km)
  }}
|status = Active
|sites = [[Sohae Satellite Launching Station|Sohae]], [[Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground|Tonghae]]
|launches = 4
|success = 2
|fail = 2
|first=5 April 2009<ref name="GSP">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/unha.htm|title=Unha ("Taepodong-2")|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=19 April 2012}}</ref>
|stagedata = 
  {{Infobox Rocket/Stage
  |type       =  stage
  |stageno    =  First
  |engines = 4 Nodong 2-1<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |thrust = 1192.8 kN<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |burntime = 120 seconds<ref name="Wright">{{cite web|url=http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/Wright-Analysis-of-NK-launcher-3-18-09.pdf|title=An Analysis of North Korea's Unha-2 Launch Vehicle|author=David Wright|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|date=March 20, 2009|access-date=January 23, 2013|archive-date=September 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903184307/http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/Wright-Analysis-of-NK-launcher-3-18-09.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="b14643"/>
  |SI = 252 sec<ref name="Wright"/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |fuel = [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]]/[[UDMH]]<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |length = {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}}
  |diameter = {{convert|2.4|m|abbr=on}}
  }}
  {{Infobox Rocket/Stage
  |type       =  stage
  |stageno    =  Second
  |engines = 4 verniers<ref name=ucs-20130222/>
  |thrust = 125 kN<ref name="b14643"/>
  |SI = 255 s<ref name="Wright"/>
  |burntime = 220 seconds<ref name="Wright"/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |fuel = [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]]/[[UDMH]]<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |length = {{convert|8.8-9.3|m|abbr=on}}
  |diameter = {{convert|1.5|m|abbr=on}}
  }}
  {{Infobox Rocket/Stage
  |type       =  stage
  |stageno    =  Third
  |engines = 2 verniers<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref name="b14643"/>
  |thrust = 35.4 kN<ref name="b14643"/>
  |SI = 230 sec<ref name="Wright"/>
  |burntime = 245 seconds<ref name="Wright"/>
  |fuel = [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]]/[[UDMH]]<ref name=ucs-20130222/>
  |length = {{convert|3.7-5.7|m|abbr=on}}
  |diameter = {{convert|1.2-1.25|m|abbr=on}}
  }}
}}
The '''Unha'''{{efn|Also romanized from Korean script as '''Eunha''' under South Korea's [[Revised Romanization of Korean|Revised Romanization]].}} ({{Korean|hangul=은하|lit=Galaxy|context=north}})<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE52C1NG20090313|title=FACTBOX: North Korea's Taepodong-2 long-range missile|date=2009-03-13|publisher=Reuters
|access-date=2009-03-30 | first=Jack | last=Kim}}</ref> is a [[North Korea]]n [[expendable launch system|expendable]] [[launch vehicle|carrier rocket]], which partially utilizes the same delivery system as the [[Taepodong-2]] orbital launch system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g5bCbd3G8qFoX7H4TvQbUWvBQ08QD975MUDO0|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090329215507/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g5bCbd3G8qFoX7H4TvQbUWvBQ08QD975MUDO0|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-03-29|title =North Korea positions rocket for April liftoff |publisher= [[Associated Press|AP]]|date=2009-03-27|access-date=2009-03-28}}</ref>

== History ==
North Korea's first orbital space launch attempt occurred on 31 August 1998, and was unsuccessful. This launch attempt was performed by a [[Paektusan (rocket)|Paektusan-1]] rocket, which used a solid motor third stage, a [[Scud missile|Scud]]-missile-based second stage, and a [[Hwasong-7]] (Nodong-1) based first stage. Hwasong-7 was a North Korean-developed stage thought to be a scale-up of the old Soviet Scud missile. The Paektusan-1 stood {{convert|22.5|m}} tall, was {{convert|1.8|m|ft|sigfig=1}} in diameter, and weighed about 21 tonnes.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

== Vehicle description ==
[[File:Unha-9 rocket model.jpg|thumb|left|Model of a Unha-9 rocket on display at a floral exhibition in Pyongyang.]]
The Unha's first stage consists of four clustered Nodong motors, which themselves are enlarged Scud motors. The second stage was initially thought to be based on the [[SS-N-6]], although it, too, is now believed to be based on Scud technology.<ref name=ucs-20130222>{{cite web |url=http://allthingsnuclear.org/markus-schillers-analysis-of-north-koreas-unha-3-launcher/ |title=Markus Schiller's Analysis of North Korea's Unha-3 Launcher |author=David Wright |work=All Things Nuclear |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=22 February 2013 |access-date=7 March 2013 |archive-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306103357/http://allthingsnuclear.org/markus-schillers-analysis-of-north-koreas-unha-3-launcher/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The third and last stage might be identical to the Iranian [[Safir (rocket)|Safir's]] second stage which is propelled by two small gimballed motors.<ref name=ucs-20130222/><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/post-launch-examination-of-the-unha-2|title = A post-launch examination of the Unha-2|date = 29 June 2009|access-date = 4 April 2012|archive-date = 23 March 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120323023325/http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/post-launch-examination-of-the-unha-2|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Recent satellite images of the [[Sohae Satellite Launching Station]] showing an enlarged launch tower under construction have prompted online speculation that an enlarged version, called "Unha-X", might be under development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/Rest_World/Unha-X/Description/Frame.htm|title=Unha-X}}</ref>

{{Infobox Korean name
|hangul = 은하
|hanja  = {{linktext|銀|河}}
|mr = Ŭnha
|rr = Eunha
|context=north
}}

==Launch history==
On 24 February 2009, North Korea announced that a Unha rocket would be used to launch the [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2]] satellite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-02/24/content_10883499.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227170021/http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-02/24/content_10883499.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2009|script-title=zh:朝鲜将发射"光明星二号"试验通讯卫星|publisher= Xinhua|date=2009-02-24|access-date=2009-03-14|language=zh}}</ref> According to the South Korean government, the launch took place on 5 April<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/north-korea-fires-longrange-rocket-reports-20090405-9sz1.html|title=North Korea fires long-range rocket: reports|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2009-04-05|access-date=2009-04-05}}</ref> from the [[Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground]] in [[Hwadae]] county.<ref name="ST">{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_343129.html|title=Kim tours rocket launch area|date=2009-02-26|publisher=The Straits Times|access-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> Several countries, including South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, voiced concerns that the launch would violate [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718|Resolution 1718]] which prohibits North Korea from testing [[ballistic missile]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/03/113_41280.html|title=US Warns NK Not to Launch Rocket|date=2009-03-14|publisher=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> Russia also announced they urged North Korea to refrain from its planned rocket launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20090327-131542.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331142050/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20090327-131542.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2009|title =Russia urges North Korea to refrain from rocket launch|publisher=Asiaone News|date=2009-03-27|access-date=2009-03-28}}</ref>

On 5 April 2009, the Unha-2 rocket was launched at around 02:30 a.m. UTC (11:30 a.m. local time).<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7982874.stm | work=BBC News | title=Defiant N Korea launches rocket | date=April 5, 2009 | access-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref> The U.S. Northern Command said that the first stage of the rocket fell into the [[Sea of Japan]] (East Sea of Korea), while the other rocket stages as well as the payload fell into the Pacific Ocean, and no object entered orbit.<ref>[http://www.northcom.mil/News/2009/040509.html "NORAD and USNORTHCOM monitor North Korean launch"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017015121/http://www.northcom.mil/News/2009/040509.html |date=2012-10-17 }} U.S. Northern Command News. April 5, 2009. Last accessed April 5, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=North Korea Seeks Political Gain From Rocket Launch|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/world/asia/07korea.html?hpw|work=The New York Times|date=2009-04-06|access-date=2009-04-07 | first1=Choe | last1=Sang-Hun | first2=Helene | last2=Cooper | first3=David E. | last3=Sanger}}</ref> Later analysis indicated the rocket impacted {{convert|2390|mi}} from the launch site, and that the second stage operated normally but the rocket's third stage failed to separate properly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0904/10northkorea/|title=North Korean rocket flew further than earlier thought|author=Craig Covault|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=10 April 2009|access-date=2009-04-17}}</ref> North Korea maintains that the rocket successfully put its payload in orbit.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20090410053328/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKSEO88417 TEXT-N.Korea says it successfully launched satellite]" ''Reuters UK'' 5 April 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.</ref>

An Unha-3 rocket was launched at 00:49 a.m. UTC, 12 December 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/11/world/asia/north-korea-rocket-launch/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 | work=CNN | title=North Korea carries out controversial rocket launch | date=December 12, 2012 | access-date=December 12, 2011}}</ref> The U.S. Northern Command said that the first stage of the rocket fell into the [[Yellow Sea]], while the debris of the second stage was assessed to have fallen into the [[Philippine Sea]] and confirmed that the satellite had entered orbit.<ref>[http://www.space.com/18867-north-korea-rocket-launch-satellite.html "North Korea Successfully Launches Satellite: Reports"],
SPACE.com, December 12, 2012 (accessed 24 Sept. 2014)</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! style="background:#FFDECC;" width=10% | Official designation
! style="background:#FFDECC;" width=20% | Date
! style="background:#FFDECC;" width=10% | Launch site
! style="background:#FFDECC;" width=15% | Payload
! style="background:#FFDECC;" width=20% | Outcome
|-
| Unha-2
| align=center | 5 April 2009
| align=center | [[Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground|Tonghae]]
| {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2]]
| {{Failure}}
|-
| Unha-3
| align=center | 13 April 2012
| align=center | [[Sohae Satellite Launching Station|Sohae]]
| {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3]]
| {{Failure}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/15258-north-korea-rocket-launch-fails.html|title=North Korea Long-Range Rocket Launch Fails: Reports|website=[[Space.com]]|date=13 April 2012}}</ref>
|-
| Unha-3 
| align=center | 12 December 2012<ref name="Fox News">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/11/north-korea-fires-long-range-rocket-in-defiant-move-south-korea-says/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212050454/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/11/north-korea-fires-long-range-rocket-in-defiant-move-south-korea-says/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2012|title=North Korea fires long-range rocket in defiant move, South Korea says |publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=2012-12-11|access-date=2012-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/delay-12102012141437.html|title=North Korea Delays Rocket Launch}}</ref>
| align=center | [[Sohae Satellite Launching Station|Sohae]]
| {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2]]<ref name="Aljazeera">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2012/12/2012121115557196677.html|title=North Korea announces rocket launch date|publisher=[[Al-Jazeera English|Al-Jazeera]]|date=2012-12-01|access-date=2012-12-01}}</ref>
| {{Success}}
|-
| Kwangmyŏngsŏng (Unha-3)
| align=center | 7 February 2016
| align=center | [[Sohae Satellite Launching Station|Sohae]]
| {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4]]
| {{Success}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Comparison of orbital launchers families]]
* [[Timeline of first orbital launches by country]]
* [[Naro-1]]
* [[Simorgh (rocket)|Simorgh]]
* [[Chollima-1]]
==Notes==
{{Notelist|group=efn}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikinews|North Korea launches rocket}}
{{Commons category|Unha (rocket)}}
*[http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/Wright-Analysis-of-NK-launcher-3-18-09.pdf "An Analysis of North Korea's Unha-2 Launch Vehicle,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903184307/http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/Wright-Analysis-of-NK-launcher-3-18-09.pdf |date=2014-09-03 }} David Wright, March 20, 2009.
*Robert S. Norris and Hans M. Kristensen, [http://thebulletin.metapress.com/content/hn1576020176wg02/fulltext.pdf "Nuclear Notebook: North Korea's nuclear program, 2005"], [http://thebulletin.org "''Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists''"], May/June 2005.

{{Expendable launch systems}}
{{North Korean Space Program}}

[[Category:Space launch vehicles of North Korea]]
[[Category:Expendable space launch systems]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2009]]