• Military

• WMD

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space
• Public Eye

Musudan-ri Missile Test Facility

In mid-June 2006 news reports suggested that the DPRK might conduct a test of the long range Taep’o-dong-2 missile as early as 17 June 2006. Commercial satellite imagery of the Musudan-ri test facility acquired in late May 2006 indicated an unsual level of vehicular activity at this facility, but did not disclose unambiguous indicators of an impending test.

The Musudan-ri facility consists of only the most essential equipment necessary to conduct missile tests. The main testing range covers approximately two square kilometers, and inside that area are a missile assembly / checkout building, missile control building and a launch pad. Outside that perimeter, to the southeast, there is also a static rocket motor test-stand.

At 54 meters in length, the missile assembly / checkout building can comfortably house a Taep'o-dong-2 (TD-2) ballistic missile, North Korea's most advanced missile. However, the facility lacks some important features necessary to support an intensive testing program. The imagery reveals few, if any, storage facilities or barracks, creating the impression that test materials and personnel must be imported from outside the area. Still, the lack of any significant transportation infrastructure complicates this notion. The vast majority of the roads in and around the facility are not paved, and the nearest port, at Kimchaek, could not support any intensive shipping activities. The area also lacks an accessible airport.

For more Public Eye satellite imagery, see the Picture of the Week Gallery of satellite and other imagery of places in the news. Musudan-ri Imagery Overview Musudan-ri Launchpad Launch Control Center Missile Assembly Bldg Tracking Facility Engine Test Stand Musudan-ri Maps North Korean Missiles
Click on the small image to view a larger version
CIA map of The Korean Peninsula.	Tactical Pilotage Chart indicating the general location of the No Dong facility.
CIB Imagery from 24 January 1995.	Digital Globe Image of the entire facility 15 February 2002.
Ikonos image depicting the main testing range 2 November 2000.	Digital Globe image from 15 February 2002 reveals no new development.
Imagery of Assembly Building	Imagery of Launch Control Center
Imagery of Launch Pad	Imagery of the static rocket motor test-stand
Imagery of the Ground Tracking Facility