Re:FBI Director: Sony’s ‘Sloppy’ North Korean Hackers Reveal...
by Alupis on Thursday January 08, 2015 @10:51AM
(#8856882)
They have managed to put a single satellite into low orbit (back in 2012) which is only about 2,000KM (a far cry from the 10,000KM you claim)... and only after several failed attempts.
Regardless, the flight characteristics of a space-bound launch vehicle are far different from an ICBM, and are very easily detectable and intercepted by just about all countermeasures.
They would be more of a threat to South Korea of an attack than on US soil. To the US, they are a non-credible threat.
Re:FBI Director: Sony’s ‘Sloppy’ North Korean Hackers Reveal...
by ynik on Friday January 09, 2015 @07:57AM
(#8862026)
Except 'orbit' doesn't mean they put a satellite 2000km high and let it fall back down. It means the satellite travelled at least once around the earth, so that's equal to at least 40000km of range.
I don't think a failed experiment is evidence that they're incapable.
Did you know that a couple of years ago, NK launched their first satellite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-3_Unit...
and the missile used (Unha 3) has a 10000 KM range and is capable of reaching the western US (with at least a 200kg payload): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unha