South Korea launches second spy satellite into orbit

Defense

Published: 08 Apr. 2024, 16:53 Updated: 08 Apr. 2024, 16:57

South Korea launches second spy satellite into orbit

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Korea's second indigenous military spy satellite takes off from John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, on Sunday (local time). [MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE]

Korea successfully launched its second domestically developed spy satellite into orbit via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, according to the Defense Ministry on Monday.

The ministry said the rocket was launched from John F. Kennedy Space Center at 7:17 p.m. on Sunday (local time) and delivered the satellite into orbit approximately 45 minutes later.

The satellite established communication with an overseas ground station at 10:57 a.m. (Korean time), according to the ministry.

The satellite is the second of five military reconnaissance satellites that South Korea plans to place in orbit by 2025 under its 1.2-trillion-won ($927 million) 425 Project to bolster its satellite surveillance capabilities against the North.

The first spy satellite was launched into orbit via a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in December.

While the first satellite is equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images of the Earth’s surface, the latest satellite has synthetic aperture radar sensors that can collect data regardless of weather conditions.

The other three satellites that Seoul plans to launch will also be equipped with synthetic aperture radars.

Together, the five satellites will provide regular updates at two-hour intervals.

In its press statement, the Defense Ministry said the South Korean military has “strengthened its independent surveillance and reconnaissance capability through the launch of its first synthetic aperture radar satellite.”

The 425 Project is designed to develop an independent South Korean satellite reconnaissance system to bolster the country’s Kill Chain pre-emptive strike capabilities. The country has long relied on U.S. commercial and spy satellites for high-resolution photographic intelligence on North Korea.

Kill Chain is one pillar in South Korea’s so-called “K-3 strategy,” which also includes the Korea Air and Missile Defense system to intercept incoming North Korean missiles as well as the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan to eliminate the North Korean leadership for launching an attack.

The Defense Ministry previously said it intends to incorporate the planned South Korean spy satellite network into a “left of launch” strategy to disable or strike North Korean missiles before they can be launched.

The launch took place a week after North Korea reiterated that it plans to send three more spy satellites into orbit this year following the launch of its first spy satellite in November.

Speaking to reporters after watching SpaceX’s livestream, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said North Korea is likely to launch its second satellite this month after making technical adjustments.

“We have been closely monitoring North Korea in case it conducts a satellite launch in March, but it currently appears to be making some additional improvements,” Shin said, adding that the timing of the North’s second satellite launch would likely depend on how long the fixes take as well as major regime holidays.

The defense minister said the launch could take place in mid- or late April to coincide with either the birthday of the regime founder and former leader Kim Il Sung on April 15 or the founding of its military on April 25.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]