The first step was what the outside world believes was a missile test, though North Korea said the April 5 event was the launch of a communications satellite.

CNN: North Korea's nuclear test denounced, ignored in South

While North Korea said this launch is to put a communications satellite into orbit, the U.S. believes it is a cover story to test its ballistic missile technology.

CNN: Analysis: Amid pending launch, N. Korea only shows half its hand

The Security Council has been discussing the matter since North Korea's April 5 launch of what it said was a communications satellite.

CNN: U.N. condemns North Korean rocket launch

The president, Olusegun Obasanjo, wants to launch a second, for television and telephone communications, and hopes eventually to see Nigerian engineers building a satellite in Nigeria.

ECONOMIST: A boon or a boondoggle?