Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 9th April. According to the South Koreas defence ministry on Monday the South Korea launched its second indigenous spy satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday (Seoul time).
The news media reported that the Falcon 9 lifted off at 8:17 a.m. (7:17 p.m. local time) from the John F. Kennedy Space Center and sent the reconnaissance satellite into orbit approximately 45 minutes after the launch, the ministry was quoted.
“We will check whether the satellite normally operates through communication with overseas ground stations,” the ministry said.
It stated that it is the second military satellite launched under South Korea’s plan to acquire five spy satellites by 2025 to better monitor North Korea.
The satellite was equipped with synthetic aperture radar sensors that capture data using microwaves and are capable of collecting data regardless of weather conditions.
Three other satellites will also be equipped with SAR sensors, the ministry said.
Electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images of the Earth’s surface were fitted on the first satellite launched in December.
The ministry added that when operated together, the 5 satellites are expected to provide regular coverage at about two-hour intervals, according to analysts.
Comments are closed.