[Military Story] Reconnaissance Satellites to Monitor North Korea More Closely

Currently 3 satellites, securing up to 5 reconnaissance satellites by next year
Hanwha Systems Yongin Research Center owns self-developed satellites
Preparing to launch small SAR satellites by next year in full swing

Our military is conducting the 425 project to launch satellites. There are a total of five satellites. The first and second military reconnaissance satellites, which will carry out surveillance missions against North Korea, were launched from the United States in December 2023 and April of this year, respectively. The third satellite was launched at the end of last year aboard a launch vehicle from the U.S. space company SpaceX. All have successfully entered orbit and established communication with ground stations. By next year, the fifth satellite will be launched, securing a total of five reconnaissance satellites. Once all five reconnaissance satellites are fully operational, it is known that specific targets within North Korea can be monitored and reconnoitered every two hours.

The 0.25m resolution small SAR satellite, invested in-house, is currently evaluated to be at a level similar to the technology operated by advanced countries. (Photo by Hanwha Systems)

The attitude control system onboard the satellite measures attitude information using star sensors, sun sensors, and Earth's magnetic field sensors, and controls the attitude using reaction wheels and magnetometers. (Photo by Hanwha Systems)

The first satellite, equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) imaging equipment, underwent operational test evaluations and received a "combat-ready" certification in August last year, currently performing normal surveillance missions against North Korea. Satellites two through five are equipped with SAR. SAR works by emitting electromagnetic waves toward ground targets and synthesizing the reflected signal data to create images, allowing for day and night imaging regardless of weather conditions. The second satellite is currently undergoing operational test evaluations and will commence normal missions once it receives the combat-ready certification.

Military Pursues Acquisition of 60 Indigenous Satellites

In addition to the five medium-to-large reconnaissance satellites secured through the 425 project, the Ministry of National Defense is also pursuing the acquisition of 50 to 60 small and microsatellites by 2030. Securing these small and microsatellites will reduce the revisit cycle of reconnaissance satellites operated by our military over the Korean Peninsula to within 30 minutes. The launch schedule is expected to be between 2026 and 2028 for small reconnaissance satellites and between 2028 and 2030 for microsatellites. The five medium-to-large reconnaissance satellites, weighing 800 to 1000 kg each, will all be launched aboard SpaceX launch vehicles, while the small reconnaissance satellites weighing less than 500 kg and microsatellites weighing less than 100 kg will be launched using domestically developed solid-fuel space launch vehicles.

The image of Krakow, Poland's second-largest city, captured by Hanwha Systems' small SAR satellite. (Photo by Hanwha Systems)

Hanwha Systems launched a ‘small imaging radar’ satellite developed and manufactured in-house from a barge located 4 km south of Jungmun Beach in December 2023. Last year, Hanwha Systems unveiled three types of small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites with resolutions of 1 m, 0.5 m, and 0.25 m. One of Hanwha Systems’ Earth observation satellites, the small SAR satellite, differs from conventional satellites in that its payload, main body, and solar panels are integrated into a single unit. It is the first in Korea to develop a small SAR satellite weighing less than 100 kg with a 1 m resolution purely using domestic technology, successfully launched in December 2023 and currently in initial operation. The 0.25 m resolution small SAR satellite, developed with internal investment, is currently evaluated to have technology comparable to that operated by advanced countries. It is planned to be launched into space by the end of next year.

Fully Equipped with Rigorous Satellite Assembly Facilities

To observe the SAR satellite, the attitude control system was visible at Hanwha Systems’ satellite test building in the Yongin Research Center. The attitude control system in the satellite measures attitude information using star sensors, sun sensors, and geomagnetic sensors, and controls the attitude using reaction wheels and magnetometers. All components in the research center are stored in an environment identical to space. Temperature and humidity are critical. Components can only be stored in an environment with temperatures between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius and humidity below 30%. Team leader Park Sang-seop said, “The satellite consists of thermal control, attitude control, power system, and command data processor, with over 100,000 test cycles.”

Following guidance from a company representative, we visited the control operation room. Currently, this room controls the already launched small SAR satellite with a 1 m resolution. Ten large monitors installed in the control room displayed various data. The satellite orbits the Earth 15 times every 24 hours. It passes over the Korean Peninsula 4 to 6 times daily. Each time, the satellite sends over 150 pieces of information. The control room also transmits about 200 missions during these passes.

Recently, photos taken by the satellite were also released. The image was taken on July 8 last year, covering a 30 km wide continuous area. It was possible to see from Mokpo Port in Jeollanam-do to Yeongdeok County in Gyeongsangbuk-do at a glance. The length of the captured area exceeded 400 km. The satellite continuously imaged the area it passed over. Both a merchant ship floating in Mokpo and Jirisan Mountain were clearly visible.

Intelligence Agencies Track North Korea Using Satellite Images

Satellites are a core asset of the Korean-style Kill Chain, which detects North Korean threats in real time and conducts preemptive strikes. Last year, regarding North Korea’s troop dispatch to Russia announced by the National Intelligence Service, it was reported that a Russian vessel transporting North Korean special forces was detected by satellites operated by South Korea.

At that time, the National Intelligence Service released SAR satellite images taken on the 12th showing a Russian vessel transporting North Korean troops at Chongjin Port as evidence of North Korea’s troop dispatch. Since photos taken by military reconnaissance satellites are classified and typically not included in government press releases, this photo is believed to have been taken by a satellite operated by the government rather than the military. It is also believed that reconnaissance satellites operated by our military were utilized in closely tracking the movements of the Russian vessel transporting North Korean troops.