LOS ANGELES: A SpaceX rocket has launched South Korea’s first spy satellite, increasing a space race on the region following North Korea launched its own first military satellite in the sky last week, Western media reported on Friday.
South Korea’s reconnaissance satellite, conducted by one of Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, lifted off from the Vandenberg US Space Force Base in California at GMT 1819 GMT. The rocket was inscribed with the word “KOREA.” The local media reported that the spy satellite reached orbit soon following and that conversation was successfully established with ground control room.
Quoting South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said that “the spy satellite was placed in orbit about four minutes following launch at 10:19 am, and succeeded in communicating with a ground station at 11:37 am, which suggests it is operating usually.”
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Reaching orbit would suggest that Seoul has acquired its first local built satellite to monitor nuclear-armed North Korea. South Korea plans to launch 4 more satellites by the end of 2025 to boost its reconnaissance ability over the North Korea.
The recent launch comes less than few days following North Korea had successfully put its own military spy satellite into orbit. Analysts said putting a working reconnaissance satellite into orbit would enhance North Korea’s intelligence-gathering abilities, especially over Seoul, and also provide vital data in any military crisis. Since last week’s launch, North Korea has claimed its new satellite in the sky has already given pictures of major South Korean and US military sites — as well as images of Rome.
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The North Korea’s launch of “Malligyong-1” was North Korea’s 3rd attempt at putting such a satellite in orbit, following two failures. South Korea has said North Korea received technical support from Russia, in return for supplying arms for use in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
