22.04.2025

(3rd LD) S. Korea successfully launches 4th spy satellite into orbit

South Korea successfully launched its fourth homegrown military spy satellite from a U.S. space base in Florida, the defense ministry said Tuesday, in efforts to strengthen its independent surveillance capabilities on North Korea.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the spy satellite, lifted off at 8:48 p.m. Monday (U.S. time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as planned and placed the satellite into orbit 15 minutes later, according to the ministry.

The launched satellite first succeeded in communicating with an overseas ground station 56 minutes after liftoff and succeeded again in another attempt made at 11:27 p.m., indicating the satellite's normal operation.

South Korea's fourth spy satellite lifts off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, in this photo provided by the defense ministry courtesy of SpaceX on April 22, 2025.

"This is anticipated to reinforce the grouped operation of the satellites, alongside the three satellites in normal operation, and enhance capabilities to detect signs of North Korea's provocations," the ministry said in a notice.

Military authorities also expected the latest launch to further enhance the Kill Chain preemptive strike platform, one of the military's three-pronged deterrence program against the North's nuclear and missile threats.

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite is the fourth military satellite launched under South Korea's plan to deploy five spy satellites by the end of this year to better monitor North Korea and help reduce its reliance on U.S. satellite imagery.

South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images. It launched two more last year with SAR sensors that collect data regardless of weather conditions.

South Korea aims to launch the fifth satellite, which will be equipped with SAR sensors, later this year. Once all five satellites are placed in orbit, the country is expected to be able to monitor North Korea every two hours.

The move comes as North Korea has also been ramping up efforts to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities against its enemies.

The North successfully launched its first military spy satellite, the Malligyong-1, in November 2023 and had vowed to launch three more spy satellites last year.

But it has yet to launch another one since a rocket carrying a satellite exploded shortly following takeoff in May last year.

Quelle: YONHAP NEWS