No military utility

North Korea's failed spy satellite was unable to trace targets, South Korea says

Key parts of the satellite were salvaged in a 36-day operation. South Korean military experts say it is the first time South Korea has secured a satellite launched by the North.

In a statement, it said: "After detailed analysis on major parts of North Korea's space launch vehicle and satellite which were salvaged, South Korean and US experts have assessed that they had no military utility as a reconnaissance satellite at all".


If the North Korean leadership knew the satellite had no military utility then perhaps it was a propaganda stunt of some kind. Or maybe it was part propaganda and part trial run.

A more interesting possibility is that the North Korean leadership did not fully understand the satellite's serious military limitations and were not fully aware of the risk that those limitations could be exposed by a failed launch.

In which case, it highlights the weakness of any leadership with limited outside experience and information sources. To a significant degree, those at the top only know what they are told by trusted advisers. If they make impossible demands they may be told impossible tales.