South Korea's defense ministry announced plans to launch its fifth homegrown military spy satellite from a US space base in Florida on Sunday. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite will enhance surveillance capabilities against North Korea, even in adverse weather. This launch marks the final step in deploying five satellites by year's end.
South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors for detailed imaging. It has since deployed three more with SAR sensors that gather data irrespective of weather. The fifth satellite is scheduled to lift off at around 1 a.m. Sunday (US time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The defense ministry stated, "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." This setup is anticipated to strengthen the military's three-axis deterrence structure.
With all five in orbit, South Korea expects to monitor North Korea every two hours, reducing reliance on US satellite imagery for independent surveillance.
North Korea has intensified its space reconnaissance efforts, successfully launching its first military spy satellite, Malligyong-1, in November 2023, and vowing three more in 2024. However, a rocket carrying another satellite exploded shortly after takeoff in May of that year, with no further launches reported.