The Seventh Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, held on April 1, Juche 102 (2013), adopted a decision on setting up the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and proclaimed the DPRK Law on Space Exploration.

The law clearly stipulates the objective and principles of space exploration, and the position and duty of the national guidance organ for space exploration.

The objective of space exploration in the DPRK is to defend the interests of the State and solve sci-tech problems indispensable to economic construction and improvement of the people’s living standards by making use of space science and technology. Its principle is to explore space for the peaceful purpose from beginning to end, holding fast to the principle of the Juche character and independence.

The NADA is a central organ which guides and manages in a unified way the planning of space exploration and its execution and the supervision and control over the work. Its founding gave a strong impetus to the drive for space exploration in the country.

It is carrying on the five-year plan for national space exploration which began in 2016.

It successfully launched the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 into orbit on February 7, 2016 and registered it in the UN on April 25, 2016 according to the international usage.

In April 2016 the Satellite Control Centre of the NADA, which consists of a main building and observation and other subsidiary buildings, was splendidly built in an area of 13 700 square metres.

Stage-by-stage goals aimed at developing geostationary satellite and earth observation satellite of higher performance have been carried out successfully.

In September 2016 the DPRK succeeded in the static firing test of high-thrust motor for a carrier rocket of geostationary satellite developed for the first time in the country.

The NADA has developed cutting-edge software for satellite image and data processing and geographic information system, and is promoting the work to establish a broadband information and communications network for the practical application of geostationary satellite with an eye to the future.

It has developed an agrometeorological information system, forest-fire monitoring system and fishing-ground search system by means of satellite data conducive to the development of agricultural production, land administration and fishing industry. It is making efforts to expand the scope of introduction of satellite application technologies into different sectors of the national economy.

Research institutions engaged in space science have been re-organized in keeping with the intensification of space exploration and the forces of space science and technology built up in terms of quality and quantity.

The NADA was officially registered in the UN as a national focal point on the registration of space objects of the DPRK in March 2015.

It joined the Treaty on Principle Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space, and the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.

It is making efforts to promote cooperation with international bodies and its counterparts in other countries in the sector of space development on the principles of equality, mutual benefits and protection.