South Korea Set To Launch 5th Spy Satellite From US Space Base

South Korea is set to launch its fifth homegrown military spy satellite from a US space base on Sunday, the Defence Ministry announced.

The launch aims to strengthen South Korea’s independent surveillance capabilities against North Korea.

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) spy satellite will lift off around 1 a.m. Sunday (US time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the ministry said.

This will be the fifth and final military satellite under South Korea’s plan to deploy five spy satellites by the end of this year.

The move will help the nation monitor North Korea more effectively. It will also reduce South Korea’s reliance on US satellite imagery.

South Korea’s Space Leap

The ministry said, “Operating a total of five reconnaissance satellites in a cluster will enable faster and more accurate detection of signs of North Korea’s provocations.”

It said the system will boost South Korea’s three-axis deterrence. The structure covers strike, defence, and retaliation.

Once all five satellites are operational, South Korea will be able to monitor North Korea every two hours, providing real-time surveillance and intelligence.

South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors that capture high-resolution images.

It later launched three SAR-equipped satellites that can collect data in all weather conditions, day or night.

The upcoming launch will complete the country’s five-satellite cluster, marking a major step in building autonomous reconnaissance capabilities.

Meanwhile, North Korea continues its efforts to develop space-based reconnaissance systems.

It successfully launched its first military spy satellite, Malligyong-1, in November 2023, and pledged to launch three more in 2024.

North Korea has not conducted another successful launch since May last year. A rocket carrying a satellite exploded shortly after takeoff.

The failure halted its planned series of launches. Experts said South Korea’s expanding satellite network gives it a clear advantage. It helps detect and respond quickly to North Korean threats.

The system will also support missile tracking, border monitoring, and strategic defence planning.

With this launch, South Korea moves closer to achieving full space-based surveillance independence, marking a significant milestone in its national defence strategy.

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