[5] United States Space Command reported that the satellite failed to reach orbit, and burned up in the atmosphere.
[10][11] The launch of the rocket was sharply condemned by the United States[12] and the European Union,[13] while the People's Republic of China[14] and Russia[15] urged restraint.
The launch was carried out on 12 December 2012, at 09:50 local time (00:50 UTC) and the satellite entered polar orbit, as confirmed by monitoring agencies in South Korea and North America with NORAD #39026 and International designator 2012-072A.
On 7 February 2016, roughly a month after an alleged hydrogen bomb test, North Korea claimed to have put a satellite into orbit around the Earth.
Nevertheless, North Korea launched the rocket anyway, claiming the satellite was purely intended for peaceful, scientific purposes.
China also criticized the launch; however it urged "the relevant parties" to "refrain from taking actions that may further escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula".
[18] The satellite was reported to be equipped with cameras and telecommunication devices, as well as the capability of transmitting data back to Earth.