NATA — National Aerospace Technology Administration

Overview

NATA — the National Aerospace Technology Administration — is North Korea's space agency, created in April 2013 as NADA (National Aerospace Development Administration) and renamed in September 2023. It operates from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station on the country's west coast, and its logo once drew global amusement for its resemblance to NASA's.

North Korea first reached orbit in December 2012 with Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2, followed by Kwangmyongsong-4 in 2016 — both on Unha rockets derived from ballistic-missile technology, which is why every launch breaches UN Security Council resolutions. The current focus is military reconnaissance: after two failures, the new Chollima-1 rocket orbited the Malligyong-1 spy satellite in November 2023, though a follow-up attempt in May 2024 exploded shortly after liftoff. Analysts track deepening Russian cooperation since the 2023 Kim–Putin summit at Vostochny Cosmodrome.

Quick Facts

Key Programmes

Kwangmyongsong satellites

The ‘Bright Star’ series: KMS-3-2 achieved North Korea's first orbit in December 2012; KMS-4 followed in 2016. Neither is believed to have functioned reliably.

Malligyong-1 reconnaissance

North Korea's first military spy satellite, orbited in November 2023 on the third Chollima-1 attempt. Pyongyang claims imaging of US and South Korean targets; independent analysts remain sceptical of its capability.

Chollima-1 launcher

A new rocket named for the mythical winged horse, believed to draw on Hwasong ICBM engines. One success in four attempts through 2024.

Russia cooperation

Following the 2023 Vostochny summit, Russian technical assistance to the programme has been widely reported — a key watch item for the next launches.

Launch Infrastructure

Launch Vehicles

Timeline