Cape Canaveral: South Korea plans to launch its fourth military reconnaissance satellite from a US space base this week, as the country seeks to better monitor North Korean threats with independent surveillance capabilities.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the military plans to launch the synthetic aperture radar satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 8:48 p.m. on Monday (US time). This launch is part of South Korea's strategy to deploy five satellites by the end of this year to enhance surveillance of North Korean military activities and reduce its reliance on US satellite imagery.
South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images. The defense ministry stated that if the fourth military reconnaissance satellite is successfully launched, it will improve the accuracy and speed of detecting signs of North Korean provocations.
The fifth satellite, set to be equipped with synthetic aperture radar satellite sensors, is scheduled for launch later this year. Once all five satellites are operational, South Korea expects to monitor North Korea every two hours.