South Korea's 5th Surveillance Satellite Successfully Launched, Achieving 24-Hour Continuous Monitoring of North Korea

Korean Media: South Korea's No. 5 Reconnaissance Satellite Successfully Launched... 24-Hour Monitoring of Kim Jong-un and North Korean Military Movements

¬ High-resolution monitoring throughout North Korea... Imaging regardless of weather conditions, day or night

On local time February 2nd, South Korea's reconnaissance satellite No. 5 was successfully launched from the U.S. Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida and established communication with the ground after entering space orbit. This satellite is a medium-to-large-sized reconnaissance satellite launched by the South Korean military to fulfill its mission, and it is the last satellite of the "425 Project" that observes the Korean Peninsula every two hours. The reconnaissance satellite is a core asset of the "kill chain" aimed at detecting, tracking, and intercepting North Korean missile and rocket launcher preparations. With the launch of No. 5 satellite, the "North Korea surveillance network" for capturing signs of North Korean provocations has become more meticulous.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced the successful launch of the No. 5 satellite, stating: "With this, a cluster operation was built with the normal functioning No. 1-4 satellites, and an autonomous capability for 24-hour round-the-clock monitoring of the entire Korean Peninsula was established." No. 5, like the previously launched No. 2-4 satellites, is equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that can take images regardless of weather conditions and day or night. With high resolution of 30 centimeters per pixel, it can monitor military equipment and troop movements, and to some extent track the movements of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The No. 1 satellite launched in 2023 was equipped with an electro-optical (EO) camera and infrared (IR) sensor.

At 1:09 AM on February 2nd, local time in Florida, the No. 5 satellite was launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. 14 minutes later, at 1:23 AM, it separated from the booster and entered its target orbit. One hour after the launch, at 2:09 AM, the satellite confirmed communication with the ground. In the coming months, the satellite will undergo trial operation assessments and then carry out surveillance and reconnaissance tasks against North Korea.

The Ministry of Defense added: "We plan to ensure the launch site, launch vehicles, etc., for building space warfare capabilities by timely advancing the small satellite system, continuously developing national defense space forces, and reinforcing the foundation of autonomous national defense." In addition to the 425 Project, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration has been developing and launching over 40 small satellites since 2022. The small SAR verification satellite is planned to be launched in the second half of next year, and the launch work will continue until 2030.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847735037800460/

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