North Korea says it will launch a satellite sometime between Feb. 8-25, a United Nations agency said Tuesday.
According the International Telecommunications Agency, North Korea revealed it would launch an earth observation satellite, ITU spokesman Sanjay Ancarya said.
The ITU registers all satellite transmission frequencies to make sure satellites do not cross and interfere with one another.
The United States, which has been anticipating a new launch, says the rocket that launches the satellite into orbit can also be used as an intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to U.S. officials, satellites have spotted activities at a launch station in North Korea and assessed that all the elements, equipment and technology for the launch of a satellite atop a long range rocket have been assembled. The launch could happen at any point, several U.S. officials told CNN.
In 2012, North Korea said it was launching a rocket carrying a satellite, for peaceful purposes, but the U.S., Japan and South Korea said it was a cover for a long-range ballistic missile test.
The announcement from North Korea comes roughly a month after the country bragged that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.
