This was reported by Korea Times, as reported by Ukrinform.

The spacecraft was launched into Earth orbit with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, which launched from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 19:17 local time.

In total, Seoul plans to place five medium-sized spy satellites weighing between 800 and 1,000 kilograms into orbit by 2025 to improve North Korea’s surveillance capabilities and reduce its dependence on U.S. allies.

The new spacecraft is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which allows it to collect data using microwaves regardless of weather conditions on Earth. The remaining three devices will be equipped with the same SAR radars.

The first satellite, launched in December last year, was equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of obtaining detailed images of the Earth’s surface.

According to Korean experts, the five satellites, when working together, will provide regular coverage and provide the ability to observe North Korea at approximately two-hour intervals.

North Korea is also working to build a space-based reconnaissance capability that could potentially increase its ability to conduct precision strikes against targets in South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang launched its first spy satellite last November and has promised to launch three more this year.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said North Korea may try to launch its second satellite this month, timing it to coincide with two major holidays: April 15, the birthday of the country’s founder and late grandfather, Kim Il-sung. The anniversary of the founding of Kim Jong-un or the Korean People’s Revolutionary Party is April 25.

As reported by Ukrinform, South Korea plans to launch approximately 60 small and micro-sized reconnaissance satellites into Earth orbit by 2030 in an effort to strengthen its own capabilities in monitoring threats from North Korea.

By 2030, it is planned to significantly reduce the intervals between observations and create a constellation of these spacecraft with a mass of 100-500 kg, with which it will be possible to monitor the Korean Peninsula every 30 minutes or more often.

Photo: “Yonhap”