South Korea has launched a commercial-grade satellite for the first time as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
In this photo released by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Nuri rocket lifts off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, Thursday, May 25, 2023. South Korea launched the commercial-grade satellite Thursday for the first time as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
– South Korea launched a commercial-grade satellite for the first time Thursday as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit. The two Koreas, technically in a state of war, have no military reconnaissance satellites of their own and both are eager to possess them. The South Korean launch Thursday will likely assist its efforts to develop a space-based surveillance system. The domestically built three-stage Nuri rocket lifted off from a launch facility on a southern island with a payload of eight satellites, including a main commercial-grade satellite whose mission is to verify radar imaging technology and observe cosmic radiation in a near-Earth orbit. South Korean officials planned to announce the results of the launch later Thursday. If successful, it would boost South Korea’s hopes of catching up with Asian neighbors such as China, Japan and India in a regional space race. Many experts say the launch will also help South Korea accumulate technologies and knowhow to operate military spy satellites and build long-range missiles. The launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed at the last minute due to a technical problem. Last year, South Korea used a Nuri rocket to place a “performance verification satellite" in orbit, becoming the world’s 10th nation to send a satellite into space with its own technology. But that launch was primarily designed to test the rocket. South Korea is expected to launch its first spy satellite later this year. It currently relies on U.S. spy satellites to monitor North Korean facilities. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, noted that the satellite launched Thursday is designed to be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit, which is typically used for reconnaissance satellites. South Korea already has missiles capable of reaching all of North Korea. But experts say it needs longer-range missiles to prepare for future security threats from potential adversaries China and Russia. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following North Korea’s barrage of missiles tests since the beginning of last year. Some of the tests demonstrated its potential ability to launch nuclear strikes on the mainland U.S. and South Korea and Japan. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seeking to develop more sophisticated weapons systems, including a spy satellite, to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. and South Korean hostilities. Analysts say Kim wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to win greater concessions from Washington in future dealings. “North Korea must be so concerned about the South Korean satellite launch Thursday because much of Kim Jong Un’s interest now is in possessing a spy satellite,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst for the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “He has a strong desire to launch a spy satellite before South Korea does.” Recent commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s main launch center in the northwest shows activities that suggest “a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches,” 38 North, a North Korea-focused website, said Wednesday. It said the images indicate progress on a new launch pad is moving forward “at a remarkable pace.” Last week, Kim examined a finished spy satellite and approved a plan for its launch during a visit to the country’s aerospace agency. The spy satellite disclosed in North Korean state media doesn’t appear sophisticated enough to produce high-resolution imagery. But Lee, the expert at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, said it is likely to be capable of monitoring deployment of U.S. strategic assets such as an aircraft carrier and the movements of South Korean warships and fighter jets. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea asks US to review China rule for chip subsidiesSouth Korea has asked Washington to review its criteria for new semiconductor subsidies, concerned over the impact of rules to limit chip investment in countries such as China, a U.S. public filing showed.
Read more »
South Korea cancels third launch of homegrown rocket due to technical problemsSouth Korea cancelled the third flight of its homegrown space rocket on Wednesday because of technical problems hours before a launch that was meant to mark a significant step in its burgeoning space programme.
Read more »
South Korea's PPP Seeks to Speed Up Bill Requiring Lawmakers' Crypto Holdings DisclosureThe politician had recently quit the party over the crypto scandal.
Read more »
Japanese leader did not 'accept' South Korea's sovereignty over disputed islesA video of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been shared on YouTube with fake subtitles that falsely claim his government has 'accepted' South Korea's sovereignty over a disputed island chain. The Korean subtitles and voiceover are not an accurate translation of Kishida's words, which were taken from a speech he gave that was unrelated to South Korea.
Read more »
South Korea, US troops to hold massive live-fire drills near border with North KoreaThe South Korean and U.S. militaries are to hold massive live-fire drills Thursday near the inter-Korean border. North Korea has warned that it won’t tolerate what it calls such a hostile invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. Seoul says the drills are to involve fighter jets, attack helicopters, multiple rocket launch systems and other weapons. They mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington. North Korea typically reacts to such major South Korean-U.S. exercises with missile tests. It has performed a torrid run of missile tests for the past year and a half but none since it fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile in mid-April.
Read more »
South Korea, US to hold 'annihilation' drills near North Korea borderSouth Korean and US militaries prepare to launch massive live-fire drills near border with North Korea, despite North's warning against what it calls a hostile invasion rehearsal on its doorstep
Read more »