The satellite that North Korea launched into space three years ago circles the earth every 95 minutes at an altitude of about 540 km (335 miles), its orbit decaying.
No signal has ever been detected from the crude-looking 100-kg (220-pound) hunk of black metal that the North said was mounted with cameras to take images and transmit them back to Pyongyang.
The North is planning another satellite launch next month, re-igniting fears that it is really testing a system to deliver nuclear weapons. The secretive state is already under international sanctions for its nuclear and missile tests.
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said this month the North's plan to launch a new satellite, which could be timed around the 70th anniversary of its ruling party on Oct 10, would be a disguised missile test. The United States has said such a launch could lead to more sanctions.
North Korea says its space programme is peaceful and any attempt to stop it is an attack on its sovereignty.
While many observers were impressed that Pyongyang managed to put an object into orbit in 2012, German aerospace engineer Markus Schiller said in a 2013 analysis that the mission was a "low performance" event and "not a game changer."
"Nothing that has happened in the past years has changed my assessment," Schiller told Reuters this week, despite further short-range missile launches by Pyongyang using existing technology.
"Most of these activities still seem to be more motivated by political reasons than by engineering ones," he said.
The North's space agency said last week it is building a new satellite and readying it for launch, possibly around Oct. 10, which suggests it has made advances in developing a ballistic missile.
South Korea's defence ministry said this week it had not detected any signs of preparations at the main launch site, about 50km from the Chinese border.
While a satellite launch utilises technology also found in ballistic missiles, the thrust and speed of the launch vehicle, as well as the point of engine cut-off, are different. Also, a missile must be designed for its warhead to withstand the stress of atmosphere re-entry, which is not the case when putting a satellite into space and leaving it there.
Soviet technology
North Korea's successful December 2012 satellite launch came after a failed attempt earlier that year, an embarrassment for its new young leader, Kim Jong Un.
He had taken over from his father, who died in December 2011, and was trying to make a mark as the leader of a country that had defied years of international pressure and sanctions in pursuit of missile and nuclear weapons programmes.
The satellite was propelled by North Korea's Unha-3, a home grown three-stage rocket based on 1950s Soviet Scud missile technology, with advanced fuel used in its final stage. Unha is Korean for galaxy.
South Korean and U.S. officials, as well as space experts, said after the launch that no signal was ever detected from the object, whose orbit can be tracked online.
The design and engineering that made the 30-metre-high Unha 3 suitable to launch a satellite make it a poor vehicle to deliver weapons, largely because launch preparations are difficult to hide due to the time it takes to assemble the rocket, stand it up and fuel it.
A new launch vehicle has yet to be spotted by satellite imagery, with its location still unknown.
"Preparations for the Unha-3, and whatever new space launch vehicle they might roll out, will be observable well in advance of a launch," said Daniel Pinkston, a visiting fellow at Babes-Bolyai University in Romania.
"So it is not a system that can be used for any military objective," said Pinkston, who has studied the North's political and weapons strategy.
Still, the North's pursuit of long-range rocket technology should be taken seriously because of potential capabilities it might acquire in the future, Pinkston added.
"It should be clear how important these capabilities are to the leadership because they are expensive and difficult to acquire," he said.
Reuters
Sun Sep 27 2015
This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 3, 2015 shows Kim Jong-Un (centre) inspecting the newly-built General Satellite Control and Command Centre at an undisclosed location. - AFP Photo/KCNA
Messi earns more than total team salaries at 22 of 28 MLS teams
Lionel Messi receives a guaranteed income of US$20,446,667, as the winner of this year's MLS regular season, according to the union report.
1MDB scandal: PM welcomes Najib’s public apology
The Kuala Lumpur High Court will decide next Wednesday whether Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must defend himself in the 1MDB corruption case.
MACC monitors all airports to detect potential counter setting - Azam
Tan Sri Azam Baki says particular focus is given to KLIA, as it serves as the main gateway for foreign nationals.
Putin does not deny reports about North Korea troops
The Kremlin chief specifically mentioned Article 4 of the Russian partnership deal with North Korea, which deals with mutual defence.
Cultural parade in Teluk Intan held without permit - Perak Police Chief
Police have confirmed that the parade at Dataran Menara Condong in Teluk Intan, which saw the participants waving China flags, was held without a permit.
'World-first' procedure to remove large brain tumours developed
The surgeon working in Scotland has developed a way to remove brain tumours the size of apples through patients' eyebrows.
IMF chief says world economy at risk of low-growth malaise, rising dissatisfaction
The IMF releases new economic forecasts showing that global GDP growth will decline slightly by 20.9 to 3.1 pct from 3.2 pct this year.
Waving China flags: Guan Gong Cultural Association apologises to Malaysians
The Guan Gong Cultural Association of Malaysia has apologised to all Malaysians for the incident involving the waving of China flags during the International Guan Gong Cultural Festival in Perak.
[OPINION] Middle East crisis: A precursor to World War III?
The Middle East remains one of the worlds most volatile regions, marked by a complex web of political, religious and territorial conflicts.
BRICS does not operate in closed format, open to all who share its values - Putin
Vladimir Putin says Russia has successfully done everything possible to ensure new BRICS members have organically joined the association.
At star-studded Georgia rally, Harris and Obama push early voting in tight race
Some 1.9 million residents have already cast their ballot in Georgia, according to the secretary of state's office.
Musk sends more money to back Trump, giving $44 mln to super PAC
The contributions come after a prior report showed Musk gave the group around $75 million over three months between July and September.
US pledges support for Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, regional peace efforts
Malaysia will officially assume the role of ASEAN Chair from Jan 1, 2025.
Ethiopian PM arrives in Malaysia for official two-day official visit
Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali's visit to Malaysia aims to strengthen relations between the two nations.
BRICS mechanism conducive to cooperation among developing countries, says UN economist
The appeal of the BRICS mechanism lies in the expanding influence of its members in the global political and economic system.
Budget 2025: Call for govt incentives to help MSMEs implement minimum wage
The government is called upon to provide suitable incentives for businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Beware of dengue risk after floodwaters recede - Health Experts
MOH reminds residents in affected areas to be more vigilant against the spread of mosquito-borne viral diseases.
Europe agency says it is in talks with SpaceX on tackling space junk
The aim is to reduce a growing swarm of debris in space swirling round the planet from past missions that poses a risk to active satellites.
What we know about North Korean troops joining Russia’s war in Ukraine
Analysts say North Korea could benefit from providing weapons and troops by gaining experience and insight from operating on a battlefield.
US warns failure to safeguard Gaza civilians could haunt Israel
Lloyd Austin said that failure by Israel to safeguard civilians in Gaza could create a generational backlash.