the launch window
windowには「窓」だけではなく，“a time when there is an opportunity to do sth, although it may not last long”（『Oxford現代英英辞典』）という意味があることはブログはもとより、Asahi Weeklyの連載でも取り上げました（8/21/2010）。ここでは「ミサイルの打ち上げ（予定）期間」という意味合いです。（UG）
PAC-3s Okinawa-bound for North Korean launch
Kyodo, AFP-Jiji
SEOUL / KURE, Hiroshima Pref. — The Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship Kunisaki left Monday morning from the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, carrying missile interceptors to be deployed in Okinawa for North Korea's stated plan to launch a satellite.
The ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors are to be deployed at several locations in Okinawa. The Kunisaki and another MSDF transport, the Osumi, are to arrive at Okinawa in a few days.
North Korea announced Saturday that it plans to launch an "Earth observation satellite" between Dec. 10 and 22, following an unsuccessful attempt to launch a long-range rocket in April.
The first stage has been placed in position at the North's Sohae launch station, a South Korean government source told Yonhap news agency.
In notifying its neighbors, Pyongyang said the launch window would be between 7 a.m. and noon on any day in the period, Yonhap quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.
