North Korea now has a functional spy satellite, Pyongyang able to control it from ground station

Experts in aerospace technology have confirmed that North Korea’s first spy satellite is operational. They observed changes in its orbit, showing that engineers at the hermit kingdom can successfully control the satellite from a ground station near Pyongyang.

The exact capabilities of the satellite remain undisclosed.

Named Malligyong-1, the satellite was launched into orbit in November last year after two failed attempts.

North Korean state media claimed it had captured images of sensitive military and political sites in South Korea, the US, and elsewhere, although no imagery has been released. Despite independent radio trackers’ efforts, satellite signals have yet to be detected.

A team of experts from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands said in a recent blog post that the satellite’s maneuvers from February 19th to 24th raised its perigee—which is the point in the orbit of a satellite at which it is nearest to the Earth—ffrom 488 km to 497 km, confirming its operational status and Pyongyang’s control over it.

While South Korea’s defense ministry acknowledged the satellite’s presence in orbit, it refrained from providing further details. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik noted that the satellite had not displayed any signs of engaging in reconnaissance activities.

The unexpected orbit-raising maneuver, according to Langbroek, indicates the presence of an onboard propulsion system, a capability not seen in previous North Korean satellites. This capability allows North Korea to prolong the satellite’s operational life by adjusting its altitude to counter orbital decay.

Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell observed that the satellite appeared to be adjusting its position in space rather than posing a threat to other satellites, given its limited size.

North Korea, a country capable of conducting a nuclear strike and having been actively developing ICBMs and missiles, has announced plans to launch three more spy satellites in 2024.

Only some central space powers, like the US, India, Russia, and China, have launched satellites capable of complex maneuvers. Langbroek noted that satellite maneuvers are often conducted for benign purposes, such as improving orbital positioning or avoiding space debris.