North Korea has released technical details of the Kwangmyongsong-3 earth observation satellite ahead of its anticipated mid-April launch.

A Deputy Director of the Korean Committee for Space Technology told the North’s Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday that the satellite weighs 100 kilograms and will circle along a solar synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers for roughly two years.

Experts say a 100-kilogram satellite is categorized as an initial-stage test satellite, explaining that the satellite should weigh at least 500 kilograms with a lifespan of five years to be a working satellite. However, Pyongyang insists the Kwangmyongsong-3 is a working satellite.

Experts also say there is no reason for North Korea to devise its own rocket to launch such a small satellite, as it would be much more cost-effective for Pyongyang to mount it on another country’s rocket. They added the new details about the satellite are evidence that the purpose of North Korea’s rocket launch is to test its missile technology.