DPRK Space Facilities

Information about North Korean space facilities is often scarce and difficult to verify due to the country's secretive nature. North Korea's space program has been a subject of international attention and concern, primarily because of its potential dual-use capabilities. That is, technologies developed for space exploration can often be adapted for military use, including in the development of ballistic missiles.

Some facilities that have been associated with North Korea's space and missile programs include:

• Sohae Satellite Launching Station (Tongchang-ri): This is North Korea's most well-known space launch facility and has been the site of satellite launches. Located in the country's northwest, near the Chinese border, the site includes a launch pad, engine test stand, and other support infrastructure. It has been under scrutiny for its potential role in testing technologies that could be used in long-range missiles. North Korea can fly out of the Tongch'ang-dong facility to polar orbit inclined just west or just east of a due south inclination for an imaging/ERTS or weather satellite launch or for a limited range LRICBM test without going over other countries territory until nearly in orbit.
• Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (Musudan-ri): An older facility located in the northeast of North Korea. It has been used in the past for missile tests and is believed to have played a role in the early development of North Korea's satellite launch capabilities. While a near due east flight out of Tonghea Satellite Launch Infrastructure, “ Musudan-ri,” Hwadea County, North Hamgyong Province would be for a communications satellite or could be for an LRICBM test flight.
• Kittaeryung : One additional range across the east coast of the DPRK is known as the ballistic missile range of "Kittaeryung" which fires missile parallel to that East coast past the Musudan-ri range head.
• Sanum-dong Research and Development Facility: This facility, located near Pyongyang, is thought to be involved in the development of satellite technology as well as long-range missiles. It is one of the key centers for North Korea's weapons development efforts. Various Industrial Complexes: North Korea has several industrial complexes where rocket components are believed to be manufactured. These are not "space facilities" per se but are essential parts of the infrastructure that supports North Korea's space and missile programs.
• Pyongyang: The capital has been said to house research institutions and administrative offices responsible for the space program.

International observers often rely on satellite imagery to monitor activity at these facilities, but such observations can only offer limited insights into the scope and nature of North Korea's capabilities. North Korea has claimed to have launched satellites into orbit, although international observers have been skeptical about some of these claims. Due to the dual-use nature of space technology, North Korea's space activities have led to tensions and are often subject to international sanctions. .