South Korea Launches First SAR Satellite for All-weather Surveillance of North

South Korea launched its second military reconnaissance satellite, known as Military Reconnaissance Satellite Unit 2, with the primary objective of conducting all-weather surveillance of North Korea.

The launch occurred at approximately 8:17 a.m. local time (19:17 on Sunday, April 7, U.S. Eastern Time) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.

After liftoff, the satellite separated from the Falcon-9 launch vehicle around 45 minutes later and established communication with an overseas ground station at approximately 10:57 Korean time. This communication confirmed the satellite's stable orbit and operational readiness.

Equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, Military Reconnaissance Satellite Unit 2 can conduct precise surveillance of North Korea irrespective of weather conditions, day or night. This advanced capability significantly enhances South Korea's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) abilities, further bolstering the country's defense posture.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) emphasized these benefits in an official statement on Monday. The development and launch of this satellite were a result of collaboration between the Ministry of National Defense, DAPA, the Agency for Defense Development, and domestic companies.

Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, who attended the launch, commented on the satellite's performance, stating, “The capabilities of Military Reconnaissance Satellite Unit 2 are truly outstanding, surpassing North Korea’s satellite technology. We are proud to have the world's most advanced SAR satellite in operation. With this technology, we can effectively monitor North Korea even in adverse weather conditions.”

He also highlighted plans for launching a follow-up military reconnaissance satellite and a micro-satellite currently under development by next year, further enhancing South Korea's intelligence gathering capabilities.