[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military Reconnaissance Satellites to Directly Monitor North Korea Movements

Our Military Successfully Launches First Military Reconnaissance Satellite No. 1

Our military's first military reconnaissance satellite, No. 1, was launched at around 3:19 a.m. on the 2nd (local time 10:19 a.m. on the 1st) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA.

At Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carrying South Korea's first reconnaissance satellite No. 1 was launched on the 1st local time. Photo by SpaceX [Image source=Yonhap News]

The military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 launched that day was carried on SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Falcon 9 is a two-stage liquid-propellant (kerosene + liquid oxygen) rocket. The first stage booster separated 2 minutes and 22 seconds after launch. Then, the second stage engine ignited, the fairing (satellite protective cover) separated, and the second stage engine performed its first shutdown in sequence.

The satellite separated from the launch vehicle after 12 minutes and 16 seconds, entering orbit. About an hour later, it successfully established initial communication with an overseas ground station. Six hours later, it will attempt communication with a domestic ground station. As the world's only reusable launch vehicle, its launch success rate reaches 99.2%. As of August this year, out of 246 launches, 244 were successful.

▲First step in the Kill Chain core force= The success of the reconnaissance satellite No. 1 launch was confirmed about 80 minutes after liftoff with successful communication with an overseas ground station. The satellite is expected to be operational in the first half of next year. After communication, the satellite's operational status will be checked, and calibration work to focus the images will be conducted to determine if the satellite is functioning properly. Then, it will undergo operational test and evaluation for 4 to 6 months before being fully commissioned.

Successful Initial Communication with Overseas Ground Station

Reconnaissance satellite No. 1 is a low Earth orbit satellite orbiting at an altitude of 400 to 600 km. It is equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) instruments and can visit specific points multiple times a day to perform surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The resolution of the captured images is known to be about 0.3 meters. It can identify objects as small as 30 cm on the ground, which is considered far superior to North Korea's reconnaissance satellites, which are known to have about 3-meter resolution. Notably, it can capture images at night and has the ability to detect and track heat emitted from targets. This means it can detect when North Korean forces operate mobile launchers (TELs) at night or prepare ballistic missile launches from TELs.

The 'Falcon 9' launch vehicle of the American space company SpaceX, carrying our military's reconnaissance satellite No. 1, was launched from Vandenberg Base in California at 3:19 a.m. Korean time on the 2nd (10:19 a.m. local time on the 1st). (Photo by SpaceX website capture)

The 'Falcon 9' launch vehicle of the American space company SpaceX, carrying our military's reconnaissance satellite No. 1, was launched from Vandenberg Base in California at 3:19 AM KST on the 2nd (10:19 AM local time on the 1st). The photo shows the launch vehicle landing back on Earth. (Photo by SpaceX website capture)

Especially, since the system, main body, and optical payload of No. 1 were 100% independently designed, achieving 65-70% domestic production of major components, and securing technologies such as high-speed maneuvering satellite attitude control and ultra-high-resolution large-aperture optical payload development, the foundation for additional reconnaissance satellite operations appears to be established.

The military plans to sequentially launch four more reconnaissance satellites by 2025, securing a total of five. Among the five reconnaissance satellites to be secured by 2025, No. 1 will be equipped with EO and IR instruments, while Nos. 2 to 5 (four satellites in total) will be equipped with high-performance Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Once all five reconnaissance satellites are in orbit, South Korea's military 'Kill Chain' capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are expected to be significantly strengthened. Reconnaissance satellites, considered core surveillance and reconnaissance assets of the military, will serve as South Korea's 'eyes' in space to quickly detect signs of North Korean nuclear and missile provocations and, in emergencies, to eliminate threats before launch.

Five Satellites to be Launched by 2025... Preparing Microsatellites

The four satellites equipped with SAR emit electromagnetic waves toward ground targets and synthesize the reflected signal data to create images, allowing observation of North Korean territory regardless of weather conditions. EO and IR satellites can obtain clearer images than SAR satellites but are affected by weather, so surveillance may be limited when there is heavy cloud cover. With all five reconnaissance satellites secured, it is known that specific points in North Korea can be monitored and reconnoitered every two hours.

Later, if dozens of microsatellites weighing less than 100 kg are launched to shorten revisit cycles to 30 minutes, the frequency of photo and video capture over North Korean territory will increase, enabling more detailed surveillance and reconnaissance. Based on this reconnaissance information, precision strike customized weapons can be deployed against targets.

Additionally, following the operationalization of the Electro-Optical Satellite Surveillance System (EOSS), efforts are underway to establish a Space Operations Squadron, organize space operation execution systems, secure satellite capabilities, and reportedly consider developing laser weapon systems to shoot down enemy satellites. This signifies an expansion of space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The 'Falcon 9' launch vehicle of the American space company SpaceX, carrying our military's reconnaissance satellite No. 1, was launched from Vandenberg Base in California at 3:19 a.m. Korean time on the 2nd (10:19 a.m. local time on the 1st). (Photo by SpaceX website capture)

▲Satellite War Between South and North Korea... North Korea's Technology at a Beginner Level= North Korea recently fixed the official mission start date of its military reconnaissance satellite 'Malligyong-1' as the 1st but has yet to release satellite images.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the Pyongyang General Control Center of the National Aerospace Development Administration three times, claiming that the reconnaissance satellite detected the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson docked at Busan Port, as well as Pyeongtaek and Seoul, and captured images while passing over U.S. Navy and Air Force bases in Hawaii.

North Korea announced a successful launch about three hours after launching the military reconnaissance satellite on the night of the 21st of last month and stated that detailed satellite control operations are underway. Although the satellite appears to have entered orbit normally, no images have been released, so it is unclear whether communication with ground stations is functioning well or if the satellite has a resolution useful for military purposes.

No Satellite Images Released to Confirm Normal Mission

However, judging from Kim Jong-un's remarks expressing satisfaction with the reconnaissance satellite's activities, North Korea is expected to officially begin the first reconnaissance satellite mission as planned on the 1st. Still, it is highly likely that images will not be released in the future for military utility reasons.

During the first launch in May, the resolution of Malligyong-1 recovered by our military was only about 3 meters, leading to a judgment that it had no military utility. At that time, the North Korean reconnaissance satellite was equipped with a Japanese digital camera, and analysis showed the resolution was insufficient for military use. Military authorities are reportedly giving weight to the possibility that a similar camera was installed this time as well.

A military official said, "Although North Korea claims to have photographed South Korean and U.S. military facilities using Malligyong-1, this is a 'low-credibility propaganda strategy.'"