Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 23rd that the reconnaissance satellite No. 3, in which it participated in development, successfully launched through SpaceX's 'Falcon 9' launch vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on the evening of the 21st.
Reconnaissance satellite No. 3 was developed as part of the so-called 'Project 425', which aims to launch a total of five reconnaissance satellites. The Project 425 launched its first optical satellite equipped with high-performance electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) cameras in December 2023. Subsequently, the first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite was launched in April, and now the second SAR satellite has been launched.
SAR satellites capture images using electromagnetic waves, allowing for all-weather imagery regardless of weather conditions or time of day, which overcomes the limitations of traditional optical (EO) satellites that rely on visible light.
Since December 2018, KAI has been developing SAR satellites through a prototype manufacturing contract with the Defense Science Research Institute, and it has played a central role in environmental testing and launching of the satellites.
KAI has participated in the development of multipurpose practical satellites from No. 1 to No. 7A, and has actively conducted domestic privatization of the space industry over the past 30 years in various national space projects promoted by the government, including the development of next-generation medium satellites, geostationary complex satellites, and Korean launch vehicles.
Additionally, KAI signed a small SAR verification satellite development project with the Defense Science Research Institute in May of last year. The goal is to contribute to building a surveillance system that continuously monitors key areas 24 hours a day through the mass production and swarm operation of small satellites in the future.
Kang Gu-young, CEO of KAI, noted, 'The successful launch of satellite No. 3 in Project 425 is seen as an achievement obtained through sincere participation in development for the advancement of national space capabilities,' and added, 'We will contribute to national space development through continuous technological improvement.'