Lodestar

About the Book

In 1998, North Korea, one of the world's most secretive countries, and one of the last Stalinist states, attempted to launch a satellite, the Kwangmyongsong 1, into orbit. The satellite failed to achieve a stable orbit, although there is evidence that it did gain orbital velocity very briefly before impacting in the Pacific. The attempt transformed Asian politics and, while it was an attempt to increase a market for North Korean armaments, engendered a US-North Korea dialog which actually increased political stability in the area.

This book looks at the story of the Kwangmyongsong satellite. The book examines the North Korean claims for the satellite in detail, and the author provides some estimates as to the internal structure and information on the booster rocket. It is one of the most thorough examinations of this historically important satellite attempt published in English to date.

About the Author

Francis Graham is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Kent State University. He has a long professional interest in rocketry and space travel, and is the founder of the Tripoli Rocketry Association, the premier organization of amateur high-power rocketry. This is his first book concerning global political issues connected with rocket technology.