N. Korea builds underground fuelling facility: report

[Chipstone306]

More info for all

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...0226/nkorea_nuclear_090226/20090226?hub=World

and info on the launch site...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musudan-ri

 

[SiberianTiger]

The most interesting thing is, which azimuth?

 

[Chipstone306]

Musudan-ri/Musudan-ni Missile Test Facility

Here is a better article for all that shows the structure and more of the actual history of the site

addon anyone? wink wink

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/dprk/nodong.htm

 

[Urwumpe]

The most interesting thing is, which azimuth?

Southern or Eastern would be possible, but Eastern launches would bring it over central Japan after 800 km, while southern launches miss the biggest population centers.

It is, IMHO, one of the worst locations in the world for a spaceport.

- High latitude
- no really free launch corridors
- No allied country along the launch corridor for gathering telemetry.

North Korea would have to rely on telemetry ships right around the borders of Japan for tracking a rocket in a useful way. Otherwise, they can just fire it up and if it answers one day later (or if china helps them), it is a success.

It is as insane as the whole state North Korea. I can understand if countries would like to shoot down any missile, peaceful or not, which comes from North Korea.

 

[Spicer]

So is this rocket ready to launch or what? Does anyone know of a time frame?

 

[Chipstone306]

they do have the fueling facilites hiding and according to news reports from N.K they are ready for a launch very shortly probably by next week if not the weekend

 

[SiberianTiger]

Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the U.S. Pacific Commands, said that the military is prepared to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missile -- if President Obama should give the order.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6965611

"If a missile leaves the launch pad we'll be prepared to respond upon direction of the president," Keating told ABC News. "I'm not a betting man but I'd go like 60/40, 70/30 that it will, they will attempt to launch a satellite. There's equipment moving up there that would indicate the preliminary stages of preparation for a launch. So I'd say it's more than less likely."

"Should it look like it's not a satellite launch -- that it's something other than a satellite launch -- we'll be ready to respond."

The batter's at the home plate.