Emerging

North Korea

Emerging space power

Both of North Korea's orbital rockets had a rough start. Unha finally reached orbit in December 2012 after four failures; the newer Chollima-1 failed three times in 2023 before its first success, then failed again in 2024.

Programmesince 2006
20062024
  • Unha2006–2016
  • Chollimasince 2023
2006·first launch2023·peak (3 launches)
launches
9
launches
success
22%
success

2 Spaceports

Where North Korea’s launches lift off.

Past launches
9
past launches
TonghaeSohae
20052025
Sohae
7
Tonghae
2
20052025

Fleet Overview

2 rockets in North Korea's fleet

Chollima
State-operated
4-

Launch Providers

State-operated launches from North Korea

Every launch from North Korea has been state-operated. The programme has flown 9 launches across 2 different rockets.

State-operated launches

Past launches
9
past launches
2021: 0 launches2022: 0 launches2023: 3 launches2024: 1 launch2025: 0 launches2026: 0 launchesWinding downpeak 3 · 2023
Flies Unha (retired) +1flew 2y ago

Full Launch History

May 27, 2024Failure
Malligyong-1-1
North KoreaChollima
Nov 21, 2023
Malligyong-1 F3
North KoreaChollima 1
Aug 23, 2023Failure
Malligyong-1 F2
North KoreaChollima 1
May 30, 2023Failure
Malligyong-1
North KoreaChollima 1
Feb 7, 2016
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4
North KoreaUnha 3
Dec 12, 2012Failure
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2
North KoreaUnha 3
Apr 12, 2012Failure
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3
North KoreaUnha 3
Apr 5, 2009Failure
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2
North KoreaUnha 2
Jul 4, 2006Failure
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2
North KoreaUnha 1