South Korea Successfully Deploys Third Spy Satellite into Orbit

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: South Korea's third spy satellite lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on December 21, 2024. / Source: Handout by Ministry of National Defense (대한민국 국방부)

South Korea successfully launched its third domestically developed spy satellite into orbit from a U.S. space center on Saturday, marking a significant step in enhancing its independent surveillance capabilities over North Korea. The satellite, carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off at 8:34 p.m. Korean time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and entered its designated orbit at 9:24 p.m., according to the defense ministry. By 11:30 p.m., it had established communication with an overseas ground station, a crucial milestone that signals its successful operation and the advanced technological capabilities of South Korea.

This launch is part of South Korea's ambitious plan to deploy five military reconnaissance satellites by 2025, aiming to build an independent network for monitoring North Korea. Until now, the country has depended mainly on satellite imagery provided by the United States. The defense ministry emphasized that the success of this mission not only enhances the accuracy and speed of identifying North Korean activities but also lays the groundwork for future launches to strengthen the nation's military surveillance capabilities further.

South Korea initiated its military satellite program by launching its first spy satellite in December last year from a space base in California. This satellite, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, was designed to capture detailed images of the Earth's surface. In April, the country deployed its second spy satellite from Florida's John F. Kennedy Space Center, featuring synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors capable of collecting data regardless of weather conditions. Defense authorities view these developments as critical to strengthening the nation's three-pronged deterrence strategy, which includes; preemptive strike capability, missile defense systems and counterattack capability, against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

The third satellite, launched more recently, is also equipped with SAR sensors, a feature that will be included in the remaining two satellites of the program. Analysts project that once all five satellites are operational, South Korea's military will be able to monitor specific targets in North Korea every two hours. This comprehensive satellite network holds the promise of providing more consistent and flexible coverage, significantly improving upon the limitations of a smaller fleet. 

The recent launch coincides with North Korea's intensified efforts to develop space-based reconnaissance capabilities. In November 2023, Pyongyang successfully deployed its first military spy satellite, the Malligyong-1 (만리경-1), and announced plans to launch three additional satellites within the year. This development, coupled with South Korea's successful satellite launches, underscores the escalating space-based arms race in the region. However, North Korea has faced setbacks, with no new launches since a failed attempt in May when a rocket carrying a satellite exploded shortly after liftoff.

NOTE: While South Korea does not officially publicize a specific name for its spy satellites, it is generally referred to as a "military reconnaissance satellites (군사 정찰 위성)" within reports, with the country's defense ministry stating that their first operational satellite is part of "Project 425 (425사업)" aimed at building indigenous Earth-observation capabilities. 

With reporting by Yonhap News Agency

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