South Korea’s military space program achieved a significant milestone on Apr. 8 with the successful launch of its second reconnaissance satellite. Lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the satellite has entered its designated orbit and established communication with a ground station.
This latest addition to South Korea’s reconnaissance constellation holds particular importance as it marks the country’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite deployment. Unlike its predecessor launched in December 2023, which utilized electro-optical and infrared sensors, the SAR satellite boasts all-weather, day-night imaging capabilities. This significantly enhances South Korea’s ability to monitor the Korean Peninsula regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Furthermore, the SAR satellite offers double the observation frequency compared to the previous satellite, allowing for more comprehensive surveillance.
This launch aligns with South Korea’s Project 425, a military space program aiming to establish a network of five reconnaissance satellites in orbit by 2025. The successful deployment of this SAR satellite brings the program one step closer to achieving its goal. With all five satellites operational, South Korean military projections anticipate near-continuous surveillance coverage at approximately two-hour intervals.
The South Korean launch comes amidst heightened regional tensions fueled by North Korea’s growing space program. North Korea launched its first reconnaissance satellite in November 2023 and reportedly plans for three additional launches this year. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik anticipates a potential North Korean launch in mid-April. Despite these developments, South Korean officials remain confident in their advanced military space technology compared to North Korea.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has pledged ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s surveillance capabilities. Beyond Project 425, plans include the deployment of additional reconnaissance satellites and ultra-small satellites. These combined initiatives aim to achieve near-constant (30-minute interval) surveillance of the Korean Peninsula by 2030.