The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride.
The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit this month. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further.
The Unha 3 rocket and other space iconography are among the propaganda displayed everywhere in North Korea to celebrate the nation’s leaders and achievements. Models of the Unha 3 are displayed at a science museum and an exhibition hall in the capital. Playground swings are designed like the rocket, and performances at the Arirang Mass Games incorporate rocket imagery. Models are even part of the decor at flower shows honoring the nation’s founder Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong Il.
Here are some photographs of the launches and the rocket and space imagery displayed in North Korea.
In this July 26, 2013, photo, North Korean soldiers walk past models of the Unha 3 space launch vehicle, left, which successfully delivered North Korea’s first satellite into orbit, and the Unha 9, which would carry a lunar orbiter, on display at an annual flower show held in honor of late leaders Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put an Earth observation satellite into orbit in February 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
In this Dec. 12, 2012, photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s Unha 3 rocket lifts off from the Sohae launch pad in Tongchang-ri, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (KCNA via AP)
In this Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, photo, a staff member of the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall speaks in front of a model of North Korea’s Unha 3 rocket in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
In this July 26, 2013, photo, North Koreans dance under a flashcard display of an image of a satellite during the Arirang Mass Games celebrations in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put an Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
In this Feb. 3, 2016, photo, a visitor takes photos of an illuminated model of a globe at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put an Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)
In this July 26, 2013, photo, North Korean soldiers look at models of the Unha 3 space launch vehicle which successfully delivered North Korea’s first satellite into orbit, and on its right, the Unha 9, which would carry a lunar orbiter, on display together with a portrait of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
In this Sept. 18, 2013, photo, a North Korean groundskeeper walks past a swing made to look like the North Korean Unha 3 rocket, at a park in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
In this April 8, 2012, photo, a North Korean soldier stands in front of the Unha 3 rocket at a launching site in Tongchang-ri, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
In this Friday, July 26, 2013, photo, models of the Unha 9 space launch vehicle are on display at an annual flower show held in honor of former leaders Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
In this April 10, 2012, photo, an image depicting the 2009 satellite rocket launch is displayed at the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
In this April 18, 2013, photo, a model of a space shuttle is displayed in the lobby of the Mangyongdae Children’s Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea. Words on the space shuttle reads “Roundtrip path to space” and “youth” on the bottom. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. The country plans another launch to put Earth observation satellite into orbit in February, 2016. Although the equipment it will use is not yet known, the launch could also advance its military-use missile technology further. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
In this Feb. 3, 2016, photo, a model of the Unha 3 space launch vehicle is displayed at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea. The Unha 3 rocket that launched the “Bright Star” satellite into space in 2012 is a symbol of North Korea’s technological successes and a matter of great national pride. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)
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AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical andcontemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional imagebuyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
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