S. Korea to launch 2nd spy satellite in early April

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to launch its second military satellite in early April, the defense ministry said Monday, under a project to launch five satellites to better monitor North Korea.

South Korea launched the first surveillance satellite using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from a U.S. military base in California last December.

It is set to launch the second one from a U.S. military base in Florida as part of a project to acquire five spy satellites by 2025.

"Final consultations are under way with the satellite's contractors for the launch, which is expected to be in early April," ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said in a press briefing, without disclosing a specific launch date.

While the first satellite was equipped with an electro-optical and infrared sensor satellite that can capture detailed images of the Earth's surface, the upcoming ones are synthetic aperture radar satellites capable of collecting data regardless of the weather using remote sensing systems.

The planned launch comes as Pyongyang is also making efforts to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities.

The North successfully launched its first military spy satellite last November and has vowed to launch three more spy satellites this year.

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said last week North Korea appears to be preparing for the second launch of a spy satellite possibly in late March.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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