November 29, 2023
News

North Korea appears to test rocket engine at main spaceport: Imagery

Vegetation die-off visible at Sohae vertical engine test stand this week, amid signs of new upgrades at launchpad

North Korea appears to have tested a rocket engine at its main spaceport in recent days, NK News analysis of satellite imagery shows, as the U.S. and South Korean conducted joint military drills south of the border.

Planet Labs and Sentinel-2 imagery indicate vegetation died under the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground’s vertical engine test stand between Aug. 28 and 31, suggesting a liquid-fueled engine test occurred in that time.