N Korea satellite explodes after liftoff but progress noted

North Korea's latest satellite launch exploded in a fireball just minutes after lifting off before falling into the Yellow Sea, but analysts say the attempt showcased new strides in the nuclear-armed country's race for space.

North Korea said its latest attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite on Monday failed in flight during the rocket's first stage, which featured a new "liquid oxygen and petroleum engine."

An initial analysis suggested that the cause of the failure involved the newly developed liquid-fuel rocket motor, but other possible causes were being investigated, a report by state media KCNA said.

Although state media did not name the rocket or release photos, analysts said it was most likely different from the Chollima-1 rocket used in a successful satellite launch in November 2023.

A petroleum fuel and liquid oxygen engine may suggest that Russia, which vowed last year to help North Korea's satellite program, may have provided assistance, said Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute.

Liquid oxygen boils at -183 degrees Celsius and requires specialized fuel storage and other equipment, Lee said, which may account for why North Korea conducted multiple static rocket tests late last year.

Russian experts have visited North Korea to help with the satellite and space rocket program, Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unnamed South Korean senior defense official.

Shin Jong Wo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said that if Russia helped design the new rocket or satellite, North Korea would most likely need Russian components well into the future, deepening the two countries' cooperation.

"North Korea can relaunch soon if it obtains and analyzes the data correctly for that two-minute flight," Shin said.

South Korea's military, however, said it could take North Korea some time before it can try to launch again.

A one-minute black-and-white video provided by the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff showed what appeared to be an explosion in the sky followed by flashes.

Footage released by Japanese broadcaster NHK showed a similar ball of flame that officials said was probably exploding fuel.

REUTERS