South Korea launches its first domestic spy satellite with SpaceX
In the ongoing tension between North and South Korea, South Korea is working on developing its space program.
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The backstory: In the ongoing tension between North and South Korea, South Korea is working on developing its space program. The two nations are still technically at war, and space is one area of competition, especially since North Korea just recently launched its first spy satellite. In May, South Korea launched eight satellites using its Nuri vehicle showing that it has the capability to send satellites using its own rocket.
More recently: Under Kim Jong Un's leadership, North Korea has been ramping up its nuclear and missile capabilities. Last month, it announced the successful launch of its Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite using the Chollima-1 launch vehicle. This drew criticism from the US, South Korea and Japan. Globally, there's concern that North Korea's space program might be testing banned ballistic missile tech.
The development: Traditionally relying on US satellite intel, South Korea made a big move last week by launching its first domestically-made spy satellite using a SpaceX rocket. A Falcon 9 rocket, labeled "KOREA," took off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking a move toward reducing the country’s reliance on US surveillance. South Korea aims to launch four more spy satellites by the end of 2025. These are basically orbiting devices designed to gather intelligence by capturing images and data.
Orbiting at 400-600 kilometers above Earth, the satellite can spot objects as small as 30 centimeters, enhancing Seoul's independent intelligence capabilities. The defense ministry plans to initiate a microsatellite system project for quick monitoring and early warnings. With electro-optical and infrared functions, the launched satellite paves the way for four upcoming satellites, each equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for better visibility, especially through clouds and at night.
Key comments:
"The Falcon 9 lifted off at 10:19 am and sent the reconnaissance satellite into orbit approximately four minutes after the launch," said a defense ministry official, as quoted by Yonhap.
"Considering resolution and its capacity for Earth observation... our satellite technology ranks in the top five globally," said the defense ministry official.
“In case the US tries to violate the legitimate territory of a sovereign state by weaponising the latest technologies illegally and unjustly, the DPRK will consider taking responsive action measures for self-defence to undermine or destroy the viability of the US spy satellites by exercising its legitimate rights vested by international and domestic laws,” said the Korean Central News Agency, quoting a defense ministry spokesperson last week.
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