The Taepodong-2 (TD-2, also spelled as Taep'o-dong 2)[3] (Korean: 대포동2호) is a designation used to indicate what was initially believed to be 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]
| Taepodong-2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Space launcher technology development, possibly ballistic missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006 (only test) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | North Korea |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~80 tonnes |
| Length | ~30 m |
| Diameter | 2.0–2.2 m |
| Engine | Liquid |
Operational | 4,000–6,700 km (est.)[1][2] |
| Maximum speed | 690–800 m/s |
Guidance | Inertial |
Launch | Launch pad |
| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 대포동2호 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 大浦洞2號 |
| Revised Romanization | Daepodong 2ho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Taep'odong 2ho |
As there is no publicly available imagery of the only Taepodong-2 launch in 2006, 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 away 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 that North Korea did not seem to be planning to create an operational ICBM from the Taepodong-2 technology, and that the Taepodong-2 had been mistakenly identified as an ICBM development, whereas in reality it was a space launch development vehicle.[6]
Taepodong-2's first stage consists of four Rodong motors.
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-1orHwasong-6), and the third stage most likely uses Chinese solid-fuel engines.[8]
A Taepodong-2 was test fired on 5 July 2006 from the Tonghae test facility. According to reports, the missile failed in mid-flight about 40 seconds after launch.[11]
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]
This successful flight was repeated on 7 February 2016 (UTC) with the successful launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 using a similar rocket as Unha-3 even though the rocket is officially named as Kwangmyŏngsŏng (not to be confused with the satellite with the same name).
