South Korea Launches Fifth Military Satellite on SpaceX Rocket

South Korea has successfully launched its latest reconnaissance satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the defence ministry in Seoul said. The satellite entered orbit about 14 minutes after liftoff and later established contact with a ground station, confirming it is functioning normally.

The launch marks the deployment of the fifth and final military satellite in a programme aimed at strengthening the country’s independent intelligence capabilities. The satellite is equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR), allowing it to conduct surveillance even in poor weather conditions.

Once the system is fully operational, Seoul will be able to monitor developments in North Korea at intervals of roughly two hours.

The project is intended to reduce reliance on US intelligence and bolster national defense capabilities, while also responding to North Korea’s growing efforts to develop its own satellite systems.

(jonhap, reuters, sab)