North Korea Conducted Engine Test for Destructive Missile - Another Threat?
New data from a commercial satellite imagery show that North Korea has recently conducted engine tests for an intercontinental ballistic missile. One of the United States' think tanks speculates that the missile could possibly be aimed for the U.S.
"38 North," a website run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at John Hopkins University, recently detected multiple engine nuclear tests from North Korea. The latest satellite images show North Korea's engine tests for a missile that can reach 6000 miles. 38 North further says that the possible next move for North Korea is to perform a flight test for the missile. The recent engine test for the "KN-08" missile was detected between late March and early April. The recent reports from North Korea's nuclear capabilities may come off as another threat, or something to take seriously.
The KN-08 is an intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be developed by North Korea. The United Nations and some experts say North Korea can't operate such long-range missiles yet. There had been reports that the KN-08 missiles displayed in North Korea's military parade were "mock-ups."
According to the studies, there were too many errors and faults in the missiles.
1. Parts of it look that it was liquid-fueled, and other parts belong to solid fuel rockets.
2. There were no actual separation lines between the warhead and the last stage of the rocket.
3. There were visible loose bolts.
4. The missile is not aligned straight on the vehicle.
5. The surface of the missile above the warhead looks like a thin sheet of fabric over a frame. An actual missile would be built completely differently.
6. None of the 6 intercontinental ballistic missiles shown had identical markings, with each missile being different from each other.
7. The white lines that represent the separation lines between the different missile stages were at noticeably different locations on some missiles. This exposed the fact that there's no real separation line.
North Korea's rocket launch failed back in 2012, which earned the country disrespect and jokes around the Internet at that time. With North Korea's recent engine tests, experts doubt the ability of North Korea actually being able to launch the feared ballistic missile. Also, defense-wise the U.S. and other nearby countries will be able to early detect and interrupt any missile threat from North Korea.
But not to dismiss North Korea's current technologies and capabilities, it's been two years since their rocket launch failed. North Korea may had made improvements, and the world could be left to guessing what they can do at any moment.