SpaceX deploys S. Korea’s fifth spy satellite from US space base
(MENAFN) SpaceX successfully deployed South Korea’s fifth military reconnaissance satellite early Sunday, completing the country’s planned network of spy satellites aimed at bolstering surveillance over North Korea, according to reports.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:09 a.m.
local time (0609 GMT), carrying 18 payloads for various clients, including South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD). “On board this mission are 18 payloads for KOREA ADD, Exolaunch, Fergani, Tomorrow Companies Inc., Starcloud, and Vast,” SpaceX stated on the US social media platform X.
The newly launched synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite is the final addition to Seoul’s plan to place five military reconnaissance satellites in orbit by the end of the year. The satellite constellation is designed to improve real-time monitoring of North Korean military activities and lessen Seoul’s reliance on US intelligence imagery.
"Operating a total of five reconnaissance satellites in a cluster will enable a faster and more accurate detection of signs of North Korea's provocations," the Defense Ministry said earlier.
With all five satellites operational, South Korea will now be able to observe the Korean Peninsula roughly every two hours.
The first of these satellites was launched in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared imaging systems. The subsequent four, including the latest, feature SAR technology capable of capturing detailed images regardless of weather or lighting conditions, significantly enhancing Seoul’s intelligence capabilities.
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