The Taepodong-1 was a North Korean ballistic missile technology demonstrator. Beginning in 1994, North Korea publicly displayed two- and three-stage configurations of the liquid-fueled missile, and flight tested the three-stage configuration in 1998. The missile is capable of carrying a 750 kg payload to a range of 2,000 km in a two-stage configuration, and to 5,000 km in a three-stage configuration. 1
Taepodong-1 at a Glance
- Originated from
- North Korea
- Alternate names
- Paektusan 1
- Possessed by
- North Korea
- Class
- Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)
- Basing
- Fixed launch platform
- Length
- 25 – 32 m
- Diameter
- 1.25 – 1.36 m
- Launch weight
- 20,700 kg
- Payload
- 750 kg
- Propulsion
- Two-stage liquid propellant
- Range
- 2,000 (two-stage configuration) – 5,000 (three-stage configuration) km
- Status
- Technology demonstrator
- In service
- 1990 – 1998
Taepodong-1 Development
The Taepodong-1 originated from the Nodong missile’s development program. The Taepodong-1’s first stage was believed to incorporate multiple Nodong engines, an enlarged version of the Scud-C/D’s rocket motors.2
The Taepodong-1 failed to complete its sole flight test in 1998. While North Korea claimed it put a satellite into an elliptical orbit, post-launch analysis indicated that the rocket’s third stage failed after separation, causing the payload to fall into the Pacific ocean.3
Specifications
The Taepodong-1 is 1.25 meters in diameter and about 25.5 meters in a two-stage configuration and 32 meters in a three-stage configuration.4 Analysts estimate that the missile could carry a 750 kg payload to a range of up to 5,000 km in a three-stage configuration.