Further Reading

Musudan-ri/Musudan-ni Missile Test Facility

Imagery 17 January 2009

New imagery taken on February 17, 2009 provided by DigitalGlobe, shows increased activity at the Musudan-ri launch site. While there are no imagery-related indicators confirming North Korea's preparations for a missile launch, news reports and leaks from South Korea's intelligence indicate that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is making preparations for a launch in late February or early March 2009.

The new launch center at Tongh'ang dong on the northern west coast of North Korea is not complete and so the launch site at Musudan-ri is being prepared for one more launch.

Logistics

Musudan-ri is approximately 28 miles or 45( kilometer) from the nearest railhead at Kilchu. Rocket components and in fact all supplies to the Musudan-ri launch sitemust arrive over a rough dirt road that is probably not all-weather. Large bulk supplies can be shipped from the port of Kimch'aek to a nearby wharf at Tongh-dong.

For more Public Eye satellite imagery, see the Picture of the Week Gallery of satellite and other imagery of places in the news.
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This overview depicts the general location of the Mususan-ni launch site in relation to the town of Kilchu and Kimch'aek.	Overview depicting the general location of the Musudan-ni launch site.
The road connection Kilchu to Musudan-ri in some points consists of steep grades and is 6-meters wide. It has narrow switch back some with a radius of 13 meters. Image date: 15 February 2002 Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Overview of the Musudan-ri Test Site as of 17 February 2009 Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
New construction at the Vehicle Checkout Building. First observed in June 2008, a 30-meter extension to the Vehicle Checkout Building and a re-grading of the turning loop suggests support to a larger rocket/missile. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	New construction at the Vehicle Checkout Building. First observed in June 2008, a 30-meter extension to the Vehicle Checkout Building and a re-grading of the turning loop suggests support to a larger rocket/missile. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
New imagery of the launch tower does not reveal a missile or space launch vehicle. Semi-buried liquid fuel storage buildings are visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	New imagery of the launch tower does not reveal a missile or space launch vehicle. Semi-buried liquid fuel storage buildings are visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Launch Control Building. A two-story launch control building measuring 15 x 15 meters with a semi-buried section measuring 15 x 15 meters, appears unchanged since 2008 Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	Launch Control Building. A two-story launch control building measuring 15 x 15 meters with a semi-buried section measuring 15 x 15 meters, appears unchanged since 2008 Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Motor pool area. The motor-pool area consists of three buildings, one measuring 10 x 60 meters. Probable support vehicles area visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	Motor pool area. The motor-pool area consists of three buildings, one measuring 10 x 60 meters. Probable support vehicles area visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Engine Test Stand. Half-meter imagery reveals additional features of the engine test stand including support piers and a superstructure used to hold the rocket motor/ stage in place. Support vehicle are visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	Engine Test Stand. Half-meter imagery reveals additional features of the engine test stand including support piers and a superstructure used to hold the rocket motor/ stage in place. Support vehicle are visible. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Large bulk supplies can be shipped from the port of Kimch'aek to the nearby wharf at Tongh-dong. The wharf is 45 meters long. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	Large bulk supplies can be shipped from the port of Kimch'aek to the nearby wharf at Tongh-dong. The wharf is 45 meters long. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Additional Housing. Since 2006, 25 housing units have been built near the base headquarters. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe	Additional Housing. Since 2006, 25 housing units have been built near the base headquarters. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Missile Tracking Building. A missile tracking building is located almost 900 meters to the west of the launch pad. It has a dish measuring approximately 4.5 meters in diameter. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe
Probable Base Headquarters. What is probably the base headquarters is located 1,300 meters from the launch pad. Built after 2003, the building measures 15 x 45 meters and is recessed facing away from the launch site. Imagery Source: DigitalGlobe