Hanwha Systems Begins Development of Laser for Tracking and Monitoring Space Objects

▲There are approximately 500,000 space objects larger than 1cm.
[Photo by NASA]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The military authorities have begun developing technology to track and identify space objects using lasers.

On the 27th, the Defense Industry Technology Support Center (hereinafter referred to as the Defense Technology Center), affiliated with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), announced that it held an integrated kickoff meeting for the development of 'Next-generation Precise Tracking, Identification, and Active Response Technology for Space Objects.' This technology calculates the round-trip time of lasers fired from the ground to precisely track and predict the orbits of artificial satellites and space objects. The development of this technology was initiated to secure surveillance and tracking capabilities for artificial satellites and space objects passing over the Korean Peninsula.

According to ADD and others, about 1,000 satellites pass over the Korean Peninsula daily. Among them are China's and Russia's 'killer satellites.' There are concerns that if killer satellites and laser weapon systems designed to destroy them become fully operational, the 'Star Wars' scenario seen in science fiction movies could become a reality.

At this meeting, considering the COVID-19 situation, only officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the military, and ADD attended to review plans for securing core laser-based space object surveillance and tracking technologies and detailed development plans.

Hanwha Systems was selected as the lead developer of the core technology through a public contest and negotiation process starting in June last year. Additionally, institutions with specialized technologies related to satellite tracking and laser development in Korea, such as the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea Photonics Technology Institute, Doosan, Kongju National University, and Yonsei University, are also participating. Approximately 45 billion KRW in budget will be invested by 2025.

Um Dong-hwan, head of the ADD Defense Technology Center, said, "We expect to establish an independent laser satellite tracking and space surveillance system for our military through the core technologies acquired in this project."

The laser space object tracking and surveillance technology appears to be in response to internal military opinions that preparations must be accelerated, anticipating that space will become a new battlefield in the future.

In September last year, the Air Force established the 'Satellite Surveillance and Control Unit' for the first time and formulated a space power development plan called the 'Space Odyssey Project.'

This plan aims to establish a space surveillance system, including space weather forecasting and warning systems and high-power laser satellite tracking systems, by 2030 as the first phase. In the second phase, until 2040, it plans to launch satellites from the air using transport aircraft and build a command and control system linked to space operations. By 2050, the third phase, it plans to establish an air-based anti-space operation system and secure deterrence capabilities against threats to friendly space forces.

The Army is also planning to secure 'Army Space Power' by establishing a three-phase plan. In the first phase, running until 2025, it will study concepts of cyber and electronic warfare and conduct conceptual research on laser weapon systems. The laser weapon system is a force designed to destroy enemy 'killer satellites' in space from the ground in emergencies.

In the second phase, from 2025 to 2030, it plans to develop an integrated space information sharing system and small satellite ground launch vehicles. In the third phase, starting in 2030, it intends to build an Army Satellite Integrated Operation Center and develop low Earth orbit tactical reconnaissance satellites and small communication satellite constellations.