The event has drawn open criticism from several countries

Apr 11, 2012 11:37 GMT  ·  By

Despite international protests, North Korean officials announced plans to go ahead with the launch of a new rocket to Earth's orbit, sometime between April 12-16. Many analysts fear that this is, in fact, a test of the country's long-range missiles.

The Unha-3 (Galaxy-3) delivery system will be carrying the Kwangmyongsong-3 (Bright Shining Star-3) satellite, authorities went on to say. Over the last few months, the Asian nation has been claiming that the launch is not a ballistic missile test, but a part of the country's expanding satellite program, Space reports.

“The launch of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite is the gift from our people to our great leader, comrade Kim Il-sung, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, so this cannot be a missile test,” says Ryu Kum-chol, the Korean Central Space Committee vice director for space development, quoted by Reuters.

At this point, there is no way of knowing what will actually happen during the launch, so keep an eye on this space for more details about it.