[K-Defense Armed with Future Tech] Reconnaissance Satellites Essential as the 'Eyes' of Future Warfare Government Plans to Deploy Over 50 Low-Earth Orbit Satellites
At 2:09 PM (KST) on the 2nd, South Korea's military reconnaissance satellite No. 5 was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. 2025.11.2 Provided by SpaceX
On the 2nd, South Korea's fifth military reconnaissance satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Once all five reconnaissance satellites are operational, they will be able to observe the entire Korean Peninsula at two-hour intervals.
As artificial intelligence (AI) battlefields become a reality, the importance of space development in the defense industry is increasing. Without satellites serving as the 'eyes' of AI, AI remains incomplete.
The most notable area in the space defense sector recently is low Earth orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. Deploying dozens to hundreds of low Earth orbit satellites enables real-time observation of the same area. The South Korean government also plans to deploy about 50 low Earth orbit satellites in space.
The performance of satellites developed with domestic technology is also advancing. Hanwha Systems is developing a very low Earth orbit ultra-high resolution (VLEO UHR) SAR satellite capable of observing Earth with a resolution of 15 cm from an altitude of approximately 400 km. A 15 cm resolution is sufficient to distinguish a water bottle on the ground. LIG Nex1, which is developing the 'Cheollian No. 5', is leading in geostationary satellite technology. The company recently completed the construction of a satellite laser system assembly building capable of manufacturing and mass-producing high-power laser weapon systems.
Lee Won-joo
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
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