Musudan-ri/Musudan-ni Missile Test Facility
Imagery 26 March 2009
Imagery of the Musudan-ri Missile Test Site taken on 26 March 2009, released by DigitalGlobe showed apparent increased activity consistent with preparations for a launch sometime in the following weeks. The new activity observed in the recent imagery tended to confirm NBC News reporting at the time from DoD officials that North Korea were possibly in the process of loading the first 2 lower stages of the rocket onto the launch pad.
A green object on the south side of the launch tower was probably an upper service level arm that has been swung out of the way. This suggested that the North Korean's could be in the process of loading the upper stage of the launch vehicle.
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The Musudan-ri launch site as of 26 March 2009. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe |
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Launch pad as of 26 March 2009. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe |
New activity at the launch pad tended to confirm reports of preparations for a launch in the following couple of weeks. Ground vehicles were visible near the launch pad, as were possible personnel and ground support equipment. A gap in the shadow of the launch tower indicated the upper stage service level swing arm had been rotated away from where the lower stages of the rocket, indicating that loading of an upper stage could be proceeding. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe |
Vehicle checkout building as of 26 March 2009. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe |
New imagery of the vehicle checkout building revealed only minor changes in ground vehicle locations. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe |
