South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on January 8 that the country plans to launch two more military reconnaissance satellites in 2024 to monitor North Korea's moves.
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| A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a South Korean spy satellite lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on December 1, 2023. (Source: Yonhap) |
According to DAPA, two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in April and November, respectively.
Starting with an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) satellite in December, South Korea plans to put four more SAR satellites into orbit by 2025 to enhance its space-based intelligence capabilities amid North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.
EO/IR satellites capture detailed images of the Earth's surface but cannot penetrate dense clouds, while SAR satellites can collect data regardless of weather using remote sensing systems.
When operating together, the reconnaissance satellites are expected to enable timely detection of signs of missile or nuclear attacks, DAPA said.
South Korea's announcement comes days after North Korea said it would launch three more spy satellites this year.
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