[Courtesy of 38North]
Recent satellite imagery showed new activity at North Korea's launch site following its long-range rocket test last month, including possible preparations for an engine test, according to 38 North, the website of a US research institute.
A February 21 image captured a convoy of five small four-meter-long trucks, apparently traveling from the vertical engine test stand at Sohae where the North launched a satellite into space on February 7, 38 North said.
"The presence of convoy traffic at Sohae has only been seen in the past during construction or test preparations," 38 North said.
"One possibility is that these vehicles are returning from a delivery of supplies, fuel, or even engine components for testing to the stand," it said.
Vehicles and personnel were also present at the launch pad, but their purpose appears to be "post-launch maintenance rather than preparations for a new satellite launch", the website said.
38 North, however, said any supplies or components delivered to the site would likely be concealed because the North has - over the past few months - built a large environmental shed at the test stand.
"Since false-color infrared imagery of the stand’s exhaust deflector and surrounding vegetation does not indicate any burning typically seen after an engine test, the vehicle activity may indicate that a test will be conducted in the future," it said.
The North hailed the February launch as an "epoch-making" event and promised to go ahead with more rocket launches.
Washington and its allies condemned the launch as a cover for developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear bomb up to the US mainland.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
