SpaceX launches South Korean spy satellite from California
In May, South Korea used its own domestically produced Nuri launch vehicle to place a mission-capable satellite into orbit for the first time, but it has contracted with the American company SpaceX to launch a total of five spy satellites by 2025 in an effort to accelerate its goal of having 24-hour watch over the Korean peninsula. After two earlier attempts ended in rocket crashes this year, North Korea used its own Chollima-1 launch vehicle to place the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite in orbit.
![SpaceX launches South Korean spy satellite from California](https://devdiscourse.blob.core.windows.net/devnews/11_06_2021_17_39_14_7149104.jpg)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying South Korea's first spy satellite launched on Friday from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, after North Korea successfully launched its own military reconnaissance satellite last month.
SpaceX ended its livestream of the mission minutes after liftoff and then recovery of the rocket's core stage booster without showing the South Korean payload's deployment. In May, South Korea used its own domestically produced Nuri launch vehicle to place a mission-capable satellite into orbit for the first time, but it has contracted with the American company SpaceX to launch a total of five spy satellites by 2025 in an effort to accelerate its goal of having 24-hour watch over the Korean peninsula.
After two earlier attempts ended in rocket crashes this year, North Korea used its own Chollima-1 launch vehicle to place the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite in orbit. Pyongyang has yet to release any imagery from that satellite, and analysts say its full capabilities are unknown.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
U.S. and South Korea Strengthen Nuclear Deterrence Against North Korea
US and South Korea Implement Joint Nuclear Deterrence Guidelines Amid North Korea Threat
US and South Korea Forge First Joint Nuclear Deterrence Guidelines
Russia Accuses South Korea of Blackmail Over Ukraine Arms Supply
North Korea Warns of Escalation Amidst US-South Korea Defense Agreement