All

I remember those days as an SWL when KCNA messages (amongst others) flowed across the monitor screen in green letters... if you have nostalgia for those days and are also interested in the planned polar orbiter then I've just prdcuced these extracts from the KCNA news flow.

They suggest that there will be a launch of a polar-orbiter weather satellite around April 15th and that they have notified the relevant authorities about it. Would someone like to do a FOIA request for a copy of their notification?

If there is a bird and she is a polar orbiter transmitting data maybe it'll be in APT format, although I think the recent Russian launches are in a format incomprehensible to anyone else, so would not guarantee it.

Press propaganda follows:

BEGINS.............................................................................................

DPRK to Launch Application Satellite     Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- The DPRK is to launch a working satellite, Kwangmyongsong-3, manufactured by itself with indigenous technology to mark the 100th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.

A spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said this in a statement Friday.

After successfully launching two experimental satellites, DPRK scientists and technicians have steadily conducted scientific researches to develop and utilize working satellites indispensable for the country's economic development in line with the government's policy for space development and peaceful use.

Through the researches they have made a drastic progress in the field of space science and technology and laid solid material and technological foundations for working satellite launches and operation.

Kwangmyongsong-3, a polar-orbiting earth observation satellite, will be blasted off southward from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province between April 12 and 16, lifted by carrier rocket Unha-3.

A safe flight orbit has been chosen so that carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighboring countries.

The DPRK will strictly abide by relevant international regulations and usage concerning the launch of scientific and technological satellites for peaceful purposes and ensure maximum transparency, thereby contributing to promoting international trust and cooperation in the field of space scientific researches and satellite launches.

The upcoming launch will greatly encourage the army and people of the DPRK in the building of a thriving nation and will offer an important occasion of putting the country's technology of space use for peaceful purposes on a higher stage.

KCNA Reports about Preparations for Satellite Launch     Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency issued the following report on Saturday:

The relevant bodies of the DPRK sent necessary information to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and others according to international regulations and procedures as part of the preparations for the launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3.

The Korean Committee for Space Technology will invite experienced foreign experts on space science and technology and journalists to visit the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, the General Satellite Control and Command Centre and other places and observe its launch.

Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Scientific researches for accurate weather forecast are being intensified in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Pang Sun Nyo, an office head of the Hydro-meteorological Service, told KCNA:

The Service is developing varieties of apparatuses conducive to the accurate and prompt weather forecast.

Among them is an advanced geostationary meteorological satellite data receiver. This helps put the weather observation on a more scientific basis.

The apparatuses also include updated automatic weather survey devices and aerological weather radar.

The Service has upgraded the data-receiving and numerical weather forecast system aimed to comprehensively use weather data from GTS run by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The study of devastating weather phenomena such as torrential rain and drought has also been made.

In particular, Kwangmyongsong-3, a working satellite to be launched in April, will be greatly helpful to the study of weather forecast needed for agriculture and other economic fields.

Meanwhile the Service has stepped up the exchange of weather data and the study into registration of climate changes for coming 100 years in cooperation with the WMO to prevent local climate disasters.

The DPRK joined the WMO in Juche 64 (1975).

ENDS.................................................................

make of it what you will

73 de andy G0SFJ