South Korea has achieved another milestone in its space endeavors by successfully launching its second military reconnaissance satellite. The launch comes amidst escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with both Seoul and Pyongyang actively bolstering their surveillance capabilities through the deployment of reconnaissance satellites.
The satellite, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the John F Kennedy Space Center in Florida, entered orbit as announced by South Korea’s National Ministry of Defense. This accomplishment follows North Korea’s recent declaration of its intention to launch multiple spy satellites.
The South Korean military emphasized the reinforcement of its independent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities with this successful launch, further asserting its commitment to future satellite launches.
The Falcon 9 rocket, launched at 23:17 GMT, saw the satellite separating from the launch vehicle 45 minutes later, precisely entering its designated orbit. Subsequent communications with a ground station were established approximately two hours and 40 minutes post-launch.
South Korea’s strategic plan involves launching a total of five military spy satellites by 2025, a response to North Korea’s similar ambitions. Pyongyang, having launched its first spy satellite, Malligyong-1, last November, aims to augment its surveillance infrastructure with further satellite deployments, with leader Kim Jong Un expressing intentions to launch three more in 2024.
Recent statements from North Korean officials suggest an imminent launch, possibly coinciding with the April 15 birthday of state founder Kim Il Sung, known as the Day of the Sun. These launches, however, have drawn international scrutiny due to their potential violation of United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons program, as they leverage banned ballistic missile technology.
