North Korea recently launched an Earth observation satellite. According to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the satellite, Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4, is for weather forecasts. Westerners fear that the satellite is a veiled missile test, or the satellite is to gain information to build a better, long-range weapon. This is especially alarming to the UN especially when aligned with the H-bomb testing back in January. However, soon after it was launched it fell apart. North Korea recovered a little over 270 pieces of debris from the rocket launch. Although the satellite is non-functioning, the U.S. is working on a missile defense system at an accelerated pace to secure protection.