South Korea’s ambitious 425 Project, which aims to deploy five military reconnaissance satellites as key assets of the country’s Kill Chain system, is set to conclude in July of next year. Following the launch of the third satellite in December, the fourth and fifth satellites are scheduled to be launched in April and July of 2024, respectively.
According to South Korean government sources on Wednesday, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will launch the third satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, during the third or fourth week of next month. Like the first and second satellites, the third satellite will be launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from U.S. private space exploration company SpaceX. The government and military are currently coordinating the specific launch date with SpaceX.
Under the 425 Project, South Korea plans to secure a total of five high-resolution, medium-to-large military reconnaissance satellites (weighing 800 kg to 1 ton) by next year, including four SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites (units 2-5) and one EO (Electro-Optical) and IR (Infrared) satellite (unit 1). The first satellite was launched on December 2 last year from Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the second on April 8 this year from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida. The first satellite has completed its combat suitability assessment and operational deployment, while the second is undergoing operational testing and evaluation.
The EO camera on the first satellite captures visible light images of the Earth’s surface, providing easily interpretable data. Its IR sensor detects heat signatures, allowing for night-time imaging capabilities. However, both systems can be hampered by adverse weather conditions.
In contrast, SAR satellites generate images using radar technology, allowing them to operate effectively regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
Once all five satellites are operational, South Korean forces will be able to monitor North Korean nuclear and missile activities at approximately two-hour intervals. This significant boost to the Kill Chain system will enhance South Korea’s ability to detect and potentially neutralize North Korean threats before launch, strengthening the overall effectiveness of the country’s three-axis defense strategy.
Following the 425 Project, the South Korean military is also pursuing plans to secure 50 to 60 small and ultra-small reconnaissance satellites by 2030, using domestically developed solid-fuel space launch vehicles. The solid-fuel launch vehicle, set for its fourth test launch next year, is suited to deploy lightweight observational and reconnaissance satellites or multiple ultra-small satellites into low Earth orbit.
Specifically, a verification satellite is scheduled for launch in 2026, SAR satellites in 2028-29, and an EO satellite in 2030. Once ultra-small reconnaissance satellites are secured, South Korea can conduct surveillance on North Korea at 30-minute intervals.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced at a plenary session of the Workers’ Party last December that “three reconnaissance satellites will be launched by the end of the year.” After a failed launch attempt in May, North Korea is reportedly preparing for a relaunch after addressing the failure’s cause. It is also speculated that North Korea may have acquired advanced military technology from Russia to improve its reconnaissance satellite capabilities in exchange for troop deployments.