spacetoday.net: North Korea postpones rocket launch because of technical issue

Posted: Tue, Dec 11, 2012, 7:09 AM ET (1209 GMT)
Unha-3 rocket on North Korean pad (Xinhua)

North Korea has postponed the controversial launch of a rocket that was to take place this week, citing technical problems. The launch of the Unha-3 rocket, which North Korean officials say is carrying a small satellite, was scheduled to take place as early as Monday. However, satellite images show that the rocket is being disassembled from its launch pad, apparently to correct an unspecified problem with the rocket. North Korean officials previous said they had extended the launch window for the rocket by a week, to December 29, to address a "technical deficiency" with the rocket. The planned launch has aroused concern in South Korea, Japan, and the US, among other nations, who believe the planned satellite launch is a cover for a test of a long-range missile. Previous North Korean satellite launches, including one in April, have all ended in failure.