South Korea Launches Fourth Military Spy Satellite via SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket.
Science and Technology
In April 2025, South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK) successfully launched its fourth military reconnaissance satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. The launch is part of the country’s ongoing efforts to bolster independent surveillance capabilities under the 425 Project.
- This launch is aimed at enhancing South Korea’s ability to monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. The satellite is expected to play a critical role in gathering real-time, high-resolution data for national security and strategic defense.
- The newly launched satellite is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, which enables it to capture detailed images regardless of weather conditions or time of day, including at night or through cloud cover.
- The satellite was developed by the Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and is being managed by the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). These institutions are responsible for advancing South Korea’s defense technologies and military capabilities.
Main Point :- (i) Under the 425 Project, South Korea has made steady progress in building its satellite reconnaissance system. Unit 1, an Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) satellite, was launched on December 1, 2023, providing high-resolution optical and infrared imagery.
(ii) This was followed by the launch of Unit 2, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, on April 7, 2024, and Unit 3, also a SAR satellite, on December 21, 2024. Most recently, Unit 4—another SAR satellite—was successfully launched on April 22, 2025, significantly enhancing South Korea’s radar imaging capabilities.
(iii) The fifth and final satellite (SAR) under the 425 Project is scheduled for launch later in 2025. Once deployed, it will complete South Korea’s strategic satellite constellation, enabling real-time, round-the-clock monitoring of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding regions.
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