A spokesman for the Korean Committee of Space Technology issued a statement on Thursday, one month after satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 started its normal operation after being put into orbit.

It says:

As already reported, scientists and technicians of the DPRK successfully put Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite, into orbit of space by means of carrier rocket Unha-2 on April 5 in the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground in Hwadae County, North Hamgyong Province.

The carrier rocket has three stages and the satellite is tasked to transmit information about its performance and experimental relay communications to the earth along with melodies.

Installed in the carrier rocket and the satellite are measuring and transmitting devices including remote-controlled measuring devices and orbit measuring devices for the purpose of measuring orbit and sending information. There are on the ground such measuring devices as radar for tracking orbit and remote-controlled receiving devices.

The melodies of "Song of General Kim Il Sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong Il" sent to the earth at 470 MHz already made public and the observation of information about the satellite and the operation of such measuring devices as the radar for tracking orbit on the ground confirmed that the satellite was accurately put into orbit.

Various information sent by the satellite has been received and analyzed, the movement of the satellite changed as commanded by the control posts on the ground and a relay communications test through the satellite successfully conducted at relay communications posts in various regions.

The observation by the satellite and a control test were normally conducted despite the unidentified strong jamming done in the above-said communications frequency band, in particular.

We have accumulated a wealth of experience in the course of launching and operating the satellite and made great progress in laying a scientific and technological foundation for the launch of practical satellites in the days ahead.

The scientists and technicians of the DPRK satisfactorily attained their goals of the desired establishment of the comprehensive satellite launch and control system, the putting of satellite into orbit and experimental communications by a satellite through the launch of Kwangmyongsong-2 and thus made a giant stride forward in the activities for the development of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Source:
KCNA - May 8, 2009