MADRID Dec. 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The South Korean authorities launched a third spy satellite this Saturday to monitor and analyze the activities of North Korea in the face of an uptick in tension between the two countries.
The launch took place with the help of a Falcon 9 rocket from the American company SpaceX from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at around 8:34 a.m. (local time), as reported by the South Korean Ministry of Defense.
Thus, the reconnaissance satellite was already in orbit 45 minutes later. The authorities have confirmed that they managed to communicate with the launch station around 9:24 (local time).
This is the third South Korean spy satellite launched within the framework of the plan launched by Seoul to put five satellites of this type into orbit by 2025, a program that seeks to address Pyongyang’s “threat” to the region.
“We will strive to strengthen the independent surveillance capabilities of our armed forces by achieving additional launches in the future,” the Government has stated in this regard.
Once the program enters its full mission phase, it is expected to help reduce South Korea’s heavy reliance on U.S. satellite imagery of North Korea, which could boost North Korea’s independent monitoring capabilities. from Seoul.
The first satellite of these characteristics was sent on March 3, and the second on April 8.
Relations between the two Koreas are at their lowest point in years due to increased ballistic tests by Pyongyang, which violate sanctions imposed by the United Nations, and closer military cooperation between Seoul and the United States.
Add Comment