[Exclusive] Military to Launch Second Reconnaissance Satellite in April Next Year [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

North Korea May Launch Reconnaissance Satellite This Month
Our Military Plans to Launch Total of 5 Reconnaissance Satellites
First SAR Satellite Launch Scheduled for Late This Month and April Next Year

Our military plans to launch a ‘high-performance Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)’ satellite around April next year. Amid expectations that North Korea will test-launch a military reconnaissance satellite within this month, our military is accelerating the launch of SAR satellites with significantly enhanced capabilities following the launch of reconnaissance satellites equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) equipment.

According to military officials on the 20th, as part of the ‘425 Project,’ our military will launch a total of five high-resolution medium-to-large reconnaissance satellites (around 800 kg class), including four SAR satellites and one satellite equipped with EO and IR equipment.

On the 30th of this month, a ‘Falcon 9’ rocket made by SpaceX will be used as the launch vehicle at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, to launch the satellite equipped with EO and IR equipment. Subsequently, starting from April next year, four SAR satellites will be launched consecutively. Once all five satellites sequentially enter orbit, our military will have the capability to collect satellite images and videos of key facilities such as missile bases and nuclear test sites in North Korea at approximately two-hour intervals.

While satellites equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) equipment use conventional optical lenses to observe the Earth's surface, SAR satellites emit microwaves and obtain images from the signals reflected back from the ground. Microwaves can penetrate clouds, snow, and fog regardless of day or night, enabling observation under any weather conditions and allowing for precise surveillance.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) have also taken out insurance for this satellite launch. For the EO and IR equipment-equipped satellite launching this month, KARI paid pre-launch insurance worth 130.5 billion KRW and launch insurance worth 125 billion KRW. The ADD plans to subscribe to pre-launch insurance worth 130 billion KRW and launch insurance worth 109.2 billion KRW for the SAR satellites within this month. Although the government must also subscribe to orbital insurance considering the possibility of the satellite deviating from its orbit, it decided not to do so to avoid exposing operational performance.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The reason our military is accelerating the launch of high-performance reconnaissance satellites is due to the imminent launch of North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite. It is highly anticipated that North Korea, with technical assistance from Russia, will test-launch a military reconnaissance satellite within this month. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik appeared on a broadcast the day before and said, “Preparations to launch (the reconnaissance satellite) are steadily progressing around a week from now.”

In this regard, the National Security Office held a Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong on the morning of the same day to review the possibility of provocations and countermeasures, including North Korea’s preparations for launching a ‘reconnaissance satellite,’ ahead of the President’s state visits to the United Kingdom and France.

On the same day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff sternly warned North Korea to “immediately halt the planned military reconnaissance satellite launch,” emphasizing, “If North Korea proceeds with the military reconnaissance satellite launch despite our warnings, our military will take necessary measures to ensure the safety and lives of our citizens.”

Previously, North Korea launched the ‘Cheollima-1’ rocket, which was said to carry the reconnaissance satellite ‘Manlijeong-1,’ twice on May 31 and August 24 from the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Dongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, but both attempts failed to place the satellite into orbit. Although a ‘relaunch in October’ was announced, it has not yet been executed.

Our military believes that North Korea will use satellite launch technology to develop intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch capabilities.