North Korea launches rocket

[3point14]

Proof it was a satelite launch and not a "clandestine" ICBM test?



Satelite launches are not provocations. ICBM tests are. ICBM tests that go against UNSC resolutions are major provocations.

As for technical ineptitude, North Korea had been trying to do the same for a decade now, versus what? Two years for South Korea? This is not a trivial differance.

McHrozni

'Satalite launch' and 'ICBM test' are pretty much the same thing in terms of engineering.

If one has the ability to put a payload into orbit, then one has the ability to put a warhead down on a target half a world away.

Sputnik was pretty much launched on an ICBM

 

[angrysoba]

Uh-oh!

Is China selling military equipment to North Korea?


And, by the way, do you think this is bad writing?

It might have been sold ostensibly for civilian purposes, like for use in mining.

 

[McHrozni]

'Satalite launch' and 'ICBM test' are pretty much the same thing in terms of engineering.

If one has the ability to put a payload into orbit, then one has the ability to put a warhead down on a target half a world away.

Sputnik was pretty much launched on an ICBM

Yes, and the same goes for the Japanese space program, and indeed early US space program. This only reinforces the case against North Korea.

McHrozni

 

[3point14]

Yes, and the same goes for the Japanese space program, and indeed early US space program. This only reinforces the case against North Korea.

McHrozni

I was responding to this post: I have snipped the last paragraph)

Proof it was a satelite launch and not a "clandestine" ICBM test?



Satelite launches are not provocations. ICBM tests are. ICBM tests that go against UNSC resolutions are major provocations.

When the only difference is trajectory, and all one is worried about is capability, I can't see that it makes any difference if you prove it was a satellite launch or an ICBM test.

Am I missing something?

 

[portlandatheist]

So I'm generally interested in how events are portrayed in Western media and how they filtre into the popular consciousness, especially regarding Enemies of the West (tm).

So North Korea's attempted satellite launch was a provocation, and when it failed, it highlighted North Korea's technical ineptitude.

Interestingly, I don't think I saw *any* discussion when South Korea's first spaceship blew up in 2010, let alone anyone discussing how this was a provocative move by the South or how it showed how technically inept they were:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10281073

A few things to be pointed out to you:
North Korea has nukes, SK does not.
The rhetoric coming from NK is threatening in the extreme.
The SK rocket program is more open than the NK program.
Even China gave NK grief about their provocations.
SK isn't risking various sanctions and food aid for their rocket launch.
SK actually is more technically competent than NK.
Shall I go on?

 

[AdMan]

On a related note, analysts say new missiles displayed by N. Korea are sloppy fakes, show no sign of advancement.