Since neither the article nor the comments here mention this: it is not <i>at all</i> clear that the launched object was a satellite.  In fact, the available evidence -- including the fact that no transmissions have ever been detected from this or its three predecessors -- points towards it being an intercontinental ballistic missile test, and the &quot;satellite&quot; is just a cover story.<p>And there&#x27;s precedent too: the Kwangmyongsong-1 deorbited almost immediately, but the launch was still hailed in the NK press as a total success, up to and including broadcasting songs extolling the virtues of Kims.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-1" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-1</a>