North Korea Experimented with New Fuel in Satellite Launch, Resulting in Fiery Explosion

North Korea's Recent Satellite Launch Ends in Explosion

North Korea attempted to launch a military satellite, but it failed shortly after takeoff. The rocket used a new type of engine, combining liquid oxygen and petroleum. An investigation into the failure is underway, with experts examining potential causes.

The Express Tribune video

Although North Korean media didn't identify the rocket, analysts believe it differs from the Chollima-1 used in a successful launch in November 2023. The Chollima-1, which faced several test failures, uses hypergolic fuels, which ignite upon contact and require careful handling.

According to U.S. officials and analysts, the Chollima-1 is based on systems developed for North Korea's nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles, which typically don't use liquid oxygen due to storage challenges in cold temperatures.

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The use of a petroleum fuel and liquid oxygen engine suggests possible assistance from Russia, which pledged support to North Korea's satellite program last year, as noted by Lee Choon-geun, a researcher at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute.