U.S. media say that given all its preparations, North Korea could be ready to launch a rocket as early as Saturday.

The Associated Press said Friday that images were captured of trailers and vehicles transporting rocket propellant to North Korea's coastal launch site on Thursday and that the North’s multistage rocket has indeed been fueled.

CNN reiterated that its analysis show that the North is expected to launch a satellite, and not a missile, as indicated by Pyongyang.

The Washington Post quoted experts as saying that, although unidentified, the object loaded on top of the North’s rocket is estimated to weigh between 150 and 400 kilograms.

Reuters quoted a Pentagon official as saying that the North is doing everything consistent for a Saturday launch of a space vehicle.

According to diplomatic sources in Washington, North Korea’s domestic situation seems to have played a key role in the North’s plans to fire a rocket. They say the North has apparently timed the rocket launch to coincide with the April ninth opening of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, the North's rubber-stamp parliament. Sources forecast that the North’s chances of successfully launching a rocket stand between 60 and 70 percent.

In Washington, the State Department issued strong warnings over the North’s planned rocket launch. Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters that the U.S. hopes the North will desist from launching any type of missile, saying the move would be counterproductive, provocative and would further inflame tensions in the region.

Wood said Washington hopes to see the North get back to the six-party framework and focus on denuclearization.

Pyongyang announced last month that it plans to send a satellite into orbit between April fourth and eighth.