So they've been gearing up for this for a while.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17698438
North Korea launches long-range rocket
North Korea has launched a long-range rocket, according to South Korea and the United States.
The planned launch has been widely condemned by the international community, which has accused North Korea of trying to develop its military technology.
Pyongyang says that the rocket will peacefully advance its space programme.
Uncomfirmed reports from US and Japanese officials suggest the launch may have failed shortly after take-off.
Japan and South Korea have warned that they will shoot the rocket down if it enters their territory.
South Korean Defence Ministry spokesperson Kim Min-seok told reporters that the rocket has been fired at 07:39 local time (22:39 GMT).
There has so far been no word from North Korea about the launch.
Celebratory launch
The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency session for Friday morning to discuss the launch.
The US and other countries have expressed concerns that this launch is a cover for testing a long-range ballistic missile.
But there has been no confirmation as yet of whether the rocket was launched successfully. A report on ABC News quoted a US official as saying there was a "larger than expected flare" when the rocket took off and they believe it may have failed.
The three-stage rocket was launched as part of celebrations to honour North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung, whose 100th birthday it would have been on Sunday.
The BBC'S correspondent in Seoul Lucy Williamson says this launch would have been planned for some time, most likely during the rule of Kim Jong-il who died late last year.
I hope it did fail.
