SpaceX Launches South Korea’s First Spy Satellite, Fuelling Peninsula’s Space Race

New Delhi: South Korea’s maiden spy satellite soared into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg US Space Force Base. Embellished with “KOREA,” the rocket carried the surveillance satellite, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s space capabilities. The satellite swiftly established communication with ground control, confirming its operational status.

This achievement stands as South Korea’s inaugural domestically developed spy satellite, empowering the nation’s vigilance over North Korea’s nuclear activities. It’s equipped to orbit between 400 to 600 kilometres above Earth, boasting remarkable capabilities to detect objects as small as 30 centimetre’s.

In response to North Korea’s recent satellite launch, South Korea has intensified its efforts, planning to deploy four more spy satellites by 2025. Experts emphasize the critical role of these satellites in enhancing intelligence gathering, crucial in potential military scenarios.

While North Korea flaunts its own satellite’s capabilities, South Korea’s technological strides signify a shift from reliance on US-operated satellites, underscoring its quest for independent surveillance capabilities. This development not only elevates South Korea’s space prowess but also alters the dynamics of the ongoing peninsula’s space race.