South Korea successfully launched its fourth homegrown military spy satellite into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch, aimed at boosting surveillance capabilities amid tensions with North Korea, took place at 20:48 local time. The satellite entered orbit 15 minutes later.
This marks the fourth satellite in Seoul’s plan to deploy five by the end of 2025 to reduce reliance on US intelligence. The mission also carried satellites from US and German companies. South Korea launched its first domestic spy satellite in December 2023.
TR