The communist state reaffirmed it would launch a peaceful communications satellite and blasted "confrontational maniacs" in Seoul for their opposition.

The United States, South Korea and Japan insist that Pyongyang wants a pretext to test its longest-range missile, the Taepodong-2, which could theoretically reach Alaska.

But the North shows no signs of backing down from its launch, scheduled between April 4-8.

A US counter-proliferation official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP in Washington that a missile -- believed to be a Taepodong-2 -- has been moved to a launch pad.

Two stages were visible in satellite photos but the top was covered with a shroud supported by a crane, NBC television reported, citing US officials.

"We intend to raise this violation of the UN Security Council resolution, if it goes forward, in the UN," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.

"This provocative action in violation of the United Nations mandate will not go unnoticed and there will be consequences."

The US and its allies say a satellite launch uses the same technology as a missile test and would breach Resolution 1718 passed in 2006, which orders the North to halt nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.

A South Korean foreign ministry task force met Thursday to discuss counter-measures, said spokesman Moon Tae-Young.

"The government, in consultation with the UN Security Council members, plans to take this issue to the Security Council," he said.

Any launch "would constitute a serious threat and provocation to security on the Korean peninsula and to stability in Northeast Asia."

Intelligence sources told South Korea's Yonhap news agency it would take three to four days to fuel the missile at the Musudan-ri site on the northeast coast.

But they believed Pyongyang would wait till the dates it has given to international shipping and aviation bodies.

The North's missiles have particularly alarmed Japan since a Taepodong-1 overflew its territory in 1998. The first test of a longer-range Taepodong-2 in 2006 failed after 40 seconds.

Japan's security council will meet this week to prepare for the shooting down of any rocket which threatens to strike its territory, Prime Minister Taro Aso said Wednesday.

Sources quoted by Yonhap said two US warships and two from Japan -- all equipped with Aegis technology to track and destroy missiles -- are operating in the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

They said South Korea's first Aegis-class destroyer would join them.

North Korea says any attempt to shoot down its rocket would be an act of war.

It has also warned that six-party nuclear disarmament talks would collapse if new UN sanctions are imposed for the launch. The talks group the United States, Japan, Russia, the two Koreas and China.

Analysts say any new sanctions are likely to be opposed by China and possibly Russia, both veto-wielding Security Council members.

Unlike in 1998 and 2006, the North has given advance notice of its launch. It has told the UN civil aviation watchdog that the first booster will plunge into the Sea of Japan and the second into the Pacific.

On Thursday its Cabinet newspaper Minju Joson blasted Seoul.

"The Lee Myung-Bak group of traitors are showing themselves in their true colour as confrontational maniacs who spread malicious insults at whatever their brethren does," it said.

The North for the past year has been heaping vitriol on President Lee, who reversed his predecessors' policy of almost unconditional aid to Pyongyang.

Relations have grown more tense since the North in January scrapped all peace accords with the South.

earlier related report
Seoul calls NKorea's rocket launch "serious provocation"
South Korea Thursday described North Korea's planned rocket launch as a "serious challenge and provocation" to regional security, as a US official said the missile has been placed on a launch pad.

Defence ministry spokesman Won Tae-Jae declined to confirm the US report, saying Seoul would not comment on intelligence matters.

But he said the communist state is moving forward with preparations for the launch, which would constitute "a serious challenge and provocation" to the security of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

"North Korea's long-range rocket launch clearly violates UN Security council Resolution 1718. We strongly urge it to stop this immediately," Won said.

The hardline communist North has announced it will launch a communications satellite between April 4-8 as part of a peaceful space programme.

The United States, South Korea and Japan, say this is a pretext to test its longest-range missile the Taepodong-2, which could theoretically reach Alaska.

They say a launch for any reason would breach the resolution passed after Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests in 2006.

In Washington, a US counter-proliferation official told AFP the rocket on the launch pad appears to be a Taepodong-2.

North Korea blasted Seoul's government for opposing the satellite launch.

"The Lee Myung-Bak group of traitors are showing themselves in their true colour as confrontational maniacs who spread malicious insults at whatever their brethren does," said Minju Joson, the newspaper of the North's Cabinet.

"It is a traitor's behavior that the Lee group clamours for 'resolute measures through international coordination.'"

The North for the past year has been heaping vitriol on President Lee, who reversed his predecessors' policy of almost unconditional aid to Pyongyang.

Cross-border relations have grown more tense since the North in January scrapped all peace accords with the South.

The defence ministry said it is monitoring launch preparations round the clock through a special situation room.

Sources quoted by Yonhap said two US warships and two from Japan -- all equipped with Aegis technology to track and destroy missiles -- are operating in the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

They said South Korea's first Aegis destroyer would join them.

Japan has said it may try to shoot down any missile threatening its territory.

Intelligence sources told the agency it would take three to four days to fuel the missile at the Musudan-ri site on the northeast coast.

But they believed Pyongyang would wait till the dates it has given to international shipping and aviation bodies.

Related Links
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

Sacramento CA (SPX) May 01, 2009
Aerojet has successfully completed the first series of vibration and altitude hot fire tests on NASA's Orion crew module's 160 lb. thrust mono-propellant rocket engine.