U.S.officials say no part of the three-stage rocket reached orbit and the launching was a thinly-disguised test of a long-range ballistic missile that was banned under a 2006 U.N.resolution.

VOA: standard.2009.04.15

It was North Korea's first successful use of a three-stage rocket to put a satellite into orbit.

BBC: North Koreans mark rocket success with mass rally

The three-stage rocket put a satellite into space in what was Pyongyang's first successful test of such technology.

BBC: UN extends North Korea sanctions over rocket launch

North Korea is already testing a three-stage rocket and will soon have the means to hit Alaska and Hawaii.

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