Exciting news:
Scientists and technicians of the DPRK have succeeded in putting satellite Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite, into orbit by means of carrier rocket Unha-2 under the state long-term plan for the development of outer space….
The satellite is going round on its routine orbit.
It is sending to the earth the melodies of the immortal revolutionary paeans “Song of General Kim Il Sung” and “Song of General Kim Jong Il” and measured information at 470 MHz. By the use of the satellite the relay communications is now underway by UHF frequency band.
The satellite is of decisive significance in promoting the scientific researches into the peaceful use of outer space and solving scientific and technological problems for the launch of practical satellites in the future.
Carrier rocket Unha-2 has three stages.
The carrier rocket and the satellite developed by the indigenous wisdom and technology are the shining results gained in the efforts to develop the nation’s space science and technology on a higher level.
The successful satellite launch symbolic of the leaping advance made in the nation’s space science and technology was conducted against the background of the stirring period when a high-pitched drive for bringing about a fresh great revolutionary surge is under way throughout the country to open the gate to a great prosperous and powerful nation without fail by 2012, the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung, under the far-reaching plan of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. This is powerfully encouraging the Korean people all out in the general advance.
Kim Jong Il was there to witness the great event:
Expressing great satisfaction over the fact that scientists and technicians of the DPRK successfully launched the satellite with their own wisdom and technology, he highly appreciated their feats and extended thanks to them.
It is a striking demonstration of the might of our Juche-oriented science and technology that our scientists and technicians developed both the multistage carrier rocket and the satellite with their own wisdom and technology 100 percent and accurately put the satellite into orbit at one go, he noted, repeatedly praising the patriotic devotion of the scientists and technicians who are playing a vanguard role in the drive to open the gate to a great prosperous and powerful nation.
Stressing the need to bring about a new turn in conquering outer space and making a peaceful use of it on the basis of the successful launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-2, he set forth the important tasks to be fulfilled to do so.
He met with the scientists and technicians who have contributed to the satellite launch by devoting all their wisdom and enthusiasm with ardent patriotism and warmly encouraged them before having a photograph taken with them.
North Korea has defied international warnings and gone ahead with a controversial rocket launch.
State media said a satellite had been put into orbit and was transmitting data and revolutionary songs.
But there has been no independent confirmation so far. The US, Japan and South Korea suspect the launch was a cover for a long-range missile test.
They strongly condemned the launch. The US president told Pyongyang to “refrain from further provocative actions”.
Running dogs!
South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-hee said on Sunday that Seoul had judged that North Korea had failed to put its satellite launched earlier in the day into orbit, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported.
“Based on our judgement made so far, all first, second and third (stage) rockets fell into the ocean, and thus nothing has been put into orbit,” Kyodo quoted Lee as telling a parliamentary session in Seoul.
Counterrevolutionary liars!!!!
UPDATE
I have to say, I am genuinely surprised by this:
Chairwoman Kate Hudson said: “This is an unnecessary and provocative action by North Korea which, regardless of whether its intentions are peaceful, risks others seeing the launch as a threat to regional security.
“We hope that, as in the aftermath of their attempted test of a non-weaponised nuclear device in 2006, North Korea now feels that it has made its point and quickly returns to the crucial six-party talks.”
Ms Hudson added: “In a week where we have seen many positive strides by the US and Russia towards a safer world, with fewer nuclear threats, this is particularly unhelpful.
“We hope that as previously stated, the US refrains from linking North Korea’s actions with the ability of all parties to resume the very necessary disarmament talks.”
UPDATE 2
zkharya draws our attention to this exciting news:
