North Korea’s fiery satellite launch failure Monday is being viewed as just a temporary setback in the country’s space ambitions, with more attempts at orbit expected, and as a possible symbolic success in being disruptive just as a major regional summit was concluding.
Pyongyang confirmed the incident, with the vice general-director of the country's space agency blaming a newly developed liquid oxygen and petroleum engine, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported.
The dramatic failure shortly after liftoff was filmed by the South Korean military and by NHK. In the clips, the satellite-carrying rocket appears to burst into flames just minutes after launch.