South Korea Launches Its First Military Spy Satellite with SpaceX

South Korea achieved a significant milestone in its space program by launching its first military spy satellite using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This event intensifies the ongoing space race on the Korean peninsula, particularly following North Korea’s recent launch of its own military satellite.

The satellite, which lifted off from the Vandenberg US Space Force Base in California, successfully reached orbit and established communication with ground control shortly after launch. This achievement marks South Korea’s entry into the realm of domestic spy satellite technology, primarily aimed at monitoring nuclear-armed North Korea.

By the end of 2025, South Korea plans to launch four more spy satellites to enhance its reconnaissance capabilities over North Korea. The newly launched satellite, capable of detecting objects as small as 30 centimeters from an orbit of 400 to 600 kilometers above Earth, positions South Korea’s satellite technology among the top five globally in terms of resolution and Earth observation capacity​​.