S. Korean military to launch 130 intelligence satellites to keep N. Korea in check

The South Korean military and intelligence authorities reportedly plan to put up to 130 reconnaissance satellites targeting North Korea into a low Earth orbit of 500 kilometers by the early 2030s. The military will test-fire solid-fuel space rockets, which are being independently developed, by 2025. It expects to carry out a successful launch test and place multiple small and micro-sized satellites into a low Earth orbit via solid-fuel rockets.

Based on The Dong-A Ilbo’s reports on Wednesday, the South Korean military and intelligence authorities intend to build a recon space network to monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats in real time by the early 2030s.

The military announced on Tuesday that it will launch 40 micro-sized satellites weighing less than 100 kilograms by 2030, according to the 2024-2028 Mid-term Defense Program. Additionally, it will deploy multiple small and micro-sized satellites in cooperation with intelligence agencies to monitor North Korea’s military activities. “If solid-fuel rockets, an independently developed program by the military, make it in the final test, South Korea will be able to launch small and micro-sized satellites independently,” said a military source. “A solid-fuel rocket is capable of carrying three to five micro-sized satellites which will allow a real-time monitoring of major targets such as nuclear and missile bases and any signs of provocation.”


Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com