[FPSPACE] North Korean launch vehicle and satellite...first impressions

[Peter Pesavento]

These are my impressions after seeing some footage of both the rocket and
satellite on the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley at 6:30 PM EDT this
evening.

 

There were decently clear views of the rocket on the pad, and what struck me
is that there was one very close view of the first stage on the pad (lowest
part of it) that appeared to show that the paint on the first stage was
flaking off-it did not appear to be fresh paint, and the first stage rocket
skirt looked rather dingy.  Since it was not being fuelled at the time of
this released videotape, I am not certain why the paint was flaking off, or
why the first stage looked a bit shop-worn.

 

They also showed a model of the satellite inside a room with a North Korean
technician who was wearing an all-white clean room outfit holding a pointer.
The completely square, dark-colored satellite didn't strike me as an
observation type of satellite.  It appeared to be more of something akin to
a communications satellite. There was some very shiny gold plated
accoutrements sticking out the top of the satellite, but the views were not
of the lingering type, so I couldn't make out for certain what I was looking
at.

 

Those are some of my first impressions.

 

If others have some from viewing the materials on broadcasts, please post
them.

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