Taepodong-2 (Unha-3)


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The Taepodong-2 is a three stage, liquid-fueled, militarized version of North Korea’s Unha-3 satellite launch vehicle. While the Unha-3 is intended to place satellites into orbit, the Taepodong-2 carries a reentry vehicle for a military payload. It has an estimated range of 10,000 km with a 1,000 kg payload.1

Taepodong-2 (Unha-3) at a Glance

Originated from
North Korea
Alternate names
Unha-2, Unha-3, Paektusan 2, Pekdosan 2, Moksong 2
Possessed by
North Korea
Class
Satellite launch vehicle (SLV)
Basing
Fixed launch platform
Length
32 m
Diameter
2.4 m (first stage), 1.4 m (second stage), 0.9 m (third stage)
Launch weight
64,300 kg
Payload
1,000 – 1,500 kg
Propulsion
Three-stage, liquid propellant
Range
4,000 – 10,000 km (two stage), 10,000 km (three stage)
Status
Tested

Taepodong-2 Development

North Korea reportedly began development of the Taepodong-2 alongside its Taepodong-1 missile in 1990. The Taepodong-2 is larger version of the Taepodong-1; roughly 32 meters longer and as much as 2.4 meters wider.2 Pakistan and Iran apparently participated in the Taepodong/Unha development effort, and in 2004, Pyongyang offered to export fully-built missiles to several states, including Iran.3

North Korea first tested the Taepodong-2 in July 2006, which ended in failure. A second test took place in April 2009; the missile travelled about 3,800 km before landing in the Pacific Ocean east of Japan. The third test, in April of 2012, was also a failure. The missile flew roughly two minutes before exploding. Both the 2009 and 2012 tests took place using the space launch-configured Unha vehicle.

On December 12, 2012, North Korea successfully placed a satellite, the Kwamongsong-3, into orbit using an Unha space launch vehicle. According to U.S. defense officials, the satellite entered an unrecoverable tumble while in orbit.4

North Korea conducted its fifth flight test of the Unha rocket on February 7, 2016, placing the Kwamongsong-4 satellite into sun-synchronous orbit. Despite initial tumbling, the satellite has apparently entered a stable orbit.5

Taepodong-2 Design & Specifications

The Taepodong-2 is thought to employ engines borrowed from the kerosene-fueled Nodong missile. This includes four Nodong engines in its first stage, and a single Nodong engine in the second stage, with an unknown solid or liquid-fueled single motor in the third stage.6 Other analyses contend that the Taepodong-2 may employ a Scud missile engine in the second stage, and an R-27 missile’s vernier thrusters in the third stage.7

Given its size and requirement for liquid fuel, the Taepodong-2 takes several days to prepare for launch while exposed on a launch pad, making it less suitable for military missions.8 Also, as of June 2016, North Korea has yet to test an ICBM-class re-entry vehicle.

Nonetheless, it is still possible that North Korea could use the Taepodong-2 as an ICBM and launch an untested re-entry vehicle in critical circumstances.9 Given the system’s failures to place satellites accurately in orbit, the potential accuracy of the Taepodong-2 is thought to be poor. With the introduction of the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 missiles, it is unlikely that North Korea would begin serial production of the Taepodong-2 as a nuclear delivery system.10

Footnotes

    1. “North Korea’s Space Launch: An Initial Assessment,” 38 North, February 9, 2016, http://38north.org/2016/02/jschilling020816/.
    2. Jim O’Halloran, Jane’s Weapons: Strategic: 2015-2016 (United Kingdom: Jane’s Information Group, 2015), 66.
    3. Lennox, Duncan. “Taepo Dong 2.” Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems (Offensive Weapons). September 21, 2012. (accessed September 12, 2012).
    4. “Crippled NKorean Probe Could Orbit for Years,” Associated Press, December 18, 2012, accessed June 15, 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/crippled-nkorean-probe-could orbityears?goback=.gde_3433693_member_197139555.
    5. “North Korea Satellite Tumbling in Orbit Again: U.S. Sources,” Reuters, February 18, 2016, accessed June 15, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-satellite-idUSKCN0VR2R3.
    6. Lennox, Duncan. “Taepo Dong 2.” Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems (Offensive Weapons). September 21, 2012. (accessed September 12, 2012).
    7. “North Korea Launches Another Large Rocket: Consequences and Options,” 38 North, February 10, 2016, accessed June 15, 2016, http://38north.org/2016/02/melleman021016/.
    8. “North Korea Launches Another Large Rocket: Consequences and Options,” 38 North, February 10, 2016, accessed June 15, 2016, http://38north.org/2016/02/melleman021016/.
    9. “North Korea’s Space Launch: An Initial Assessment,” 38 North, February 9, 2016, accessed June 15, 2016, http://38north.org/2016/02/jschilling020816/.
    10. Ibid.
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Missile Defense Project, "Taepodong-2 (Unha-3)," Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, August 8, 2016, last modified July 31, 2021, https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/taepodong-2/.