Taepodong-2
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Taepodong-2 | |
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Type | Space launcher technology development, possibly ballistic missile |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | North Korea |
Specifications | |
Weight | ~80 tonnes |
Length | ~30 m |
Diameter | 2.0–2.2 m |
|
|
Engine | Liquid |
Operational
range |
4,000 km–6,000 km (est.)[1] |
Speed | 6,900–8000 m/s 9,500–10,500 dv total with losses |
Guidance
system |
Inertial |
Launch
platform |
Launch Pad |
Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 대포동 2호 |
---|---|
Hancha | 大浦洞 2號 |
Revised Romanization | Daepodong 2ho |
McCune–Reischauer | Taep'odong 2ho |

The Taepodong-2 (TD-2, also spelled as Taep'o-dong 2)[3] (Korean: 대포동 2호) is a designation used to indicate a North Korean two or three-stage ballistic missile[4] design that is the successor to the Taepodong-1 technology demonstrator. In 2012 the U.S. Department of Defense assessed that the Taepodong-2 had not been deployed as a missile.[5] The Taepodong-2 is the technology base for the Unha space launch vehicle, and was likely not intended as ICBM technology.[6][7]
Contents
Details
As there is no publicly available imagery of the only Taepodong-2 launch, all estimates of technical parameters are approximate.[7]
Based on the size of the missile, the fuel composition, and the likely fuel capacity, it is estimated that a two-stage variant would have a range of around 4,000 km (2,500 statute miles) and a three-stage variant would be capable of reaching as far as 4,500 km (2,800 statute miles), giving it potentially the longest range in the North Korean missile arsenal.[3] The burn time of each stage is a little over 100 seconds, thus allowing the missile to burn for 5 or 6 minutes. Speculative variants of the missile could be capable of a range of approximately 9,000 km (5,600 statute miles).[8] At maximum range, the Taepodong-2 is estimated to have a payload capacity of less than 500 kg (~1,100 lbs).[3]
According to a former worker in the publications department of one of North Korea's top research centres, who defected to South Korea, North Korea began development of the missile in 1987.[9]
Very few details concerning the technical specifications of the rocket are public information; even the name "Taepodong-2" is a designation applied by agencies outside North Korea to what is presumed to be a successor to the Taepodong-1. The TD-2 first stage likely uses a liquid propellant (TM-185 fuel and AK-27I oxidizer) driven engine and the second stage likely utilises the Rodong short-range missile.[10] Depending on the range, the estimated payload capacity could be as high as 700–1,000 kg (~1,550 - 2,200 lbs) at short range, making it potentially suitable for conventional weapons payloads, NBC payloads as well as Earth orbit satellite delivery. At maximum range, the Taepodong-2 is estimated to have a payload capacity of less than 500 kg (~1,100 lbs).[3] North Korea has yet to demonstrate the ability to produce a re-entry vehicle, without which North Korea cannot deliver a weapon from an ICBM.[5]
In 2015 aerospace engineer and North Korea missile program analyst, John Schilling, stated creating an operational ICBM out of the Taepodong-2 technology did not appear to be in North Korean plans, and it had been mistaken as an ICBM development whereas it was a space launch vehicle development vehicle.[6]
Structure
First stage
Taepodong-2's first stage consists of four Rodong motors.
Second and third stages
Little is known about the Taepodong-2 design beyond the first stage. Most likely the second stage is one of the Scud-derived North Korean ballistic missiles (either Rodong-1 or Hwasong-6), and the third stage most likely uses Chinese solid-fuel engines.[8]
Launches
2006 test
A Taepodong-2 was test fired on July 5, 2006 from the Tonghae test facility. According to reports, the missile failed in mid-flight about 40 seconds after launch.[11]
Subsequent Unha launches
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Subsequent launches were intended to launch satellites, using a Taepodong-2 development called the Unha rocket. After two failures in April 2009 and April 2012, its first successful flight, Unha-3, occurred in December 2012 with the launch of the second version of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite.[12]
See also
References
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External links
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- The Best U.S. Response to North Korea's Failed Missile Test NOW on PBS, July 7, 2006
- Nuclear Threat Initiative profile
- Federation of American Scientists profile
- GlobalSecurity.org Background
- Taepodong-2 Design Heritage Imagery @ GlobalSecurity.org
- USA Today piece from 6-20-2006
- NKorea may be set for long-range missile launch: reports, February 2, 2009
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ BBC News - How potent are North Korea's threats?
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 North Korea’s Taepodong and Unha Missiles, Federation of American Scientists, May 30, 2008
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Taepodong-2 specs, globalsecurity.org
- ↑ Taep'o-dong 2 (TD-2) - North Korea
- ↑ NTI: Country Overviews: North Korea:
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