World Courant
Seoul and Pyongyang are in a race to place extra reconnaissance satellites into orbit amid rising tensions on the peninsula.
South Korea has efficiently launched its second navy reconnaissance satellite tv for pc, days after North Korea reiterated its intention to launch a number of spy satellites this yr.
The satellite tv for pc entered orbit on Sunday after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the John F Kennedy Area Middle in Florida in the USA, South Korea’s Nationwide Protection Ministry mentioned.
Seoul’s navy mentioned in an announcement that its “unbiased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities have been additional strengthened” by the profitable launch.
“We are going to proceed with future satellite tv for pc launches with none issues,” it added.
The Falcon 9 rocket was launched at 23:17 GMT and the satellite tv for pc efficiently separated from the launch car and entered its meant orbit 45 minutes later, the assertion mentioned.
About two hours and 40 minutes after launch, it made profitable communication with a floor station, the ministry added.
South Korea, which plans to launch a complete of 5 navy spy satellites by 2025, is in a race with North Korea to develop its surveillance capabilities amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang launched its first spy satellite tv for pc – Malligyong-1 – in November final yr on its third try, whereas South Korea put its satellite tv for pc into orbit the next month.
North Korea has since mentioned its satellite tv for pc despatched photographs of key US areas, together with the White Home and the Pentagon, however has not launched any images.
On March 31, Pak Kyong Su, the deputy normal supervisor of North Korea’s Nationwide Aerospace Expertise Administration, mentioned the nation expects to launch a number of extra reconnaissance satellites this yr. Chief Kim Jong Un has beforehand mentioned he plans to ship three extra navy spy satellites into area in 2024.
South Korean Protection Minister Shin Wonsik mentioned on Monday that the primary of these launches may happen as quickly as subsequent week – on the event of state founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday on April 15. The vacation, often called the Day of the Solar, is often marked by large ceremonies and navy parades.
North Korean satellite tv for pc launches are seen as a violation of United Nations sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program as a result of they use banned ballistic missile know-how.
South Korea efficiently launches second navy spy satellite tv for pc into orbit | Army information
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