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The launch of the satellite atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base came after Pyongyang claimed success in its spy satellite launch last week — a move that underscored a growing inter-Korean security rivalry.
The defence ministry said the satellite was placed in orbit approximately four minutes after launch at 10:19 a.m. and succeeded in communicating with a ground station at 11:37 a.m., which means it is operating normally.
As South Korea has relied on US commercial and military assets for high-resolution imagery, it has been pushing to establish an independent military satellite network to gather information on North Korea.
Beginning with an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) satellite, South Korea plans to send four more synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites into space by 2025 to better monitor North Korea.
EO/IR satellites capture detailed images of the Earth's surface but cannot penetrate dense clouds, while SAR satellites can collect data regardless of weather using remote sensing systems.
The plan is expected to heat a space arms race between the two Koreas as North Korea sent its first spy satellite into orbit on Nov. 21 following two failed attempts earlier this year and vowed to launch more in a short period.
Military officials expressed hope that the reconnaissance satellites will serve as an "eye" for South Korea's Kill Chain preemptive strike system as they will enable the prompt detection or early warning signs of a potential North Korean nuclear or missile attack.
The Kill Chain system is a pillar of South Korea's three-pronged deterrence system that also includes the Korean Air and Missile Defense system and the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation, an operational plan to incapacitate North Korean leadership in the event of a major conflict.
Yonhap
The Korea Herald
Asia News Network
