U.S. Warning Systems Detect, Track North Korean Missile Launch

From a North American Aerospace Defense Command News Release

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Dec. 11, 2012 – North American Aerospace Defense Command officials acknowledged today that U.S. missile warning systems detected and tracked the launch of a North Korean missile at 7:49 p.m. EST.

The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth, officials said. Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea. The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea.

Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit, officials said.
The missile or the resultant debris, officials added, never posed a threat to North America