North Korea launched the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 reconnaissance satellite atop an Unha rocket.
The international community largely condemned the launch, as the Unha rocket is the satellite-launch version of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Claims were made that the satellite launch was an excuse to test said missile, which North Korea denied. The satellite passes over North Korea four times a day. While the hermit nation claims it is fully operational, international experts have not found any evidence to support this claim.