Pyongyang , North Korea ( CNN ) -- It really does n't look like much , this mission control . About a dozen tables with monitors , men in the standard issue white lab coats . But this is North Korea 's nerve center . From here scientists will be able to monitor their rocket when they try to fire a satellite into orbit . Our government minders have brought us here to the outskirts of the capital Pyongyang . It is all about access , this secretive regime opening its doors to the world 's media -- CNN included -- to answer one question : is this a missile or a satellite ? The head of the control center is huddled into a corner of the room , a crush of cameras around him . I manage to squeeze through to the front , literally straddling the sitting reporter in front of me . Rocket fueling under way . `` After all your denials that this is not a missile test , I ask , why does the United States not believe you ? '' My question brings a wry smile to his lips . `` The United States people are very confused , '' he says . `` The U.S. says basically you 're lying , why should they trust you '' ? I ask . `` This is why we have invited you here , '' he replies before adding that he hopes the media can become supporters of the North Korean cause . Independent analysts though are still not totally convinced . They point to the technology itself . The rocket could easily be used for a missile as well as a satellite . `` Potentially yes , it can carry a warhead , '' says Russian space policy expert Yuri Karash . `` The nuclear warhead can be the same size as a suitcase ( so ) it is possible to deliver it , but in this case I believe it is a satellite , '' . Han Park is a North Korean specialist from the University of Georgia in the United States , and he 's also been invited as an observer by Pyongyang . He says this is all about trust . He trusts them but he does have questions . `` Is it a satellite or a missile ? Ultimately it is n't about science , but the motives of North Korea , '' he says . There 's a lot riding on this rocket launch . It has essentially scuttled a much needed food aid deal with the United States and is raising tensions in an already volatile Korean Peninsula . But in the last few days it has become clear that this is not just about technology , this is a spiritual quest , this is about honoring the memory of the founding father of the nation , Kim Il Sung . This week North Koreans mark 100 years since his birth . When the rocket reaches for the skies , the people here will praise a man they see as a god .
World 's media taken to the site near Seoul ahead of rocket launch . North Korea insists the rocket will launch a satellite into space . Others , such as the U.S. , fear this is part of Pyongyang 's missile development program .