North Korea is expected to launch a long-range rocket in the next 24 to 48 hours, according to a official from the United States.
The amount of fuel in the rocket means that the trajectory will be very long. The rocket is expected to travel south by south-east, passing over the Philippines and possibly falling into water which would not be far from Australia.
Most of the countries on the projected route have asked the United States for assistance in tracking the missile’s path, since the U.S has a number of technol0gically-advanced radars and anti-ballistic missile ships in the region. Because of these requests, the White House and the State Department have had large amounts of communication with Asian nations.
The most important focus has been putting pressure on China to try and rein in North Korea, which hasn’t actually shown any want to cooperate. In fact, the Chinese are going as far as telling the United States to essentially relax.
But the missile launch is not thought to be the end of the constant threats by North Korea. It’s rumoured that they will even be conducting nuclear tests soon as large amounts of dirt and grounf cover are being moved at one of North Korea’s nuclear sites. Which causes experts to believe that North Korea will test a nuclear device after they are done with their rocket test is complete. Another scary factor is the news that unlike North Korea’s first two nuclear tests – this one could be a uranium device which makes it all the more dangerous.
But the missile launch is not expected to end the provocation by North Korea. Officials fear a nuclear test will soon follow. Large amounts of dirt and ground cover are being moved at one of North Korea’s nuclear sites, which experts believe indicates the North Koreans will test a nuclear device once the rocket test is complete. Even more alarming is that officials believe that, unlike the first two nuclear tests North Korea conducted with plutonium, this one could be a uranium device, which would indicate a secret uranium facility.
North Korea is claiming the planned rocket launch is just a satellite called Shining Star being put into orbit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the regime’s founder, Kim Il Sung. Experts and the World don’t doubt there is a satellite attached to the rocket, but feel it is just cover to test a long-range missile that could be capable of hitting the U.S.
What impact will this have on the rest of the world? Well, we’re just going to have to wait and find out.