Posted: Tue, Feb 24, 2009, 6:28 AM ET (1128 GMT)
The government of North Korea has announced plans to place a satellite into orbit in the immediate future. According to reports by the government news agency, the country is planning to launch an experimental communications satellite on a version of its Taepodong-2 missile. No timeframe for the launch was announced but the timing of the report suggests an attempt may take place within days. The US, Japan, and South Korea, among other nations, believe the launch is the cover for a test of a long-range ballistic missile, and have warned North Korea not to conduct the launch or else face sanctions. North Korea claimed to have launched a satellite in 1998 with the Taepodong-2, but no spacecraft achieved orbit.

Related Links:

•  AP article
•  Reuters article
•  AFP article
•  Xinhua article