The chase for spy satellites

Kim inspecting the launch (below) of a rocket carrying what is believed to be the reconnaissance satellite ‘Malligyong-1’ from the Sohae Satellite Launch Site in North Phyongan province. North Korea says it had succeeded in putting a military spy satellite in orbit after two previous failures. — AFP/AP

NORTH Korea claimed last week to have successfully put its first military surveillance satellite into orbit, with the South also preparing to send up its first spy satellite later in the month.

The two launch attempts, set to come in such quick succession, appear to be the beginnings of a space race on the Korean peninsula.