South Korea on Monday efficiently performed a check flight of a solid-fuel space rocket. (Representational picture/file)
| Photo Credit: AP
South Korea on Monday efficiently performed a check flight of a solid-fuel space rocket over the ocean close to Jeju Island, the defence ministry mentioned, amid a rising space race with neighbouring North Korea.
It was the third check of its sort following two others in December and March final yr.
The launch concerned know-how developed on the state-run Agency for Defense Development and a space rocket and a satellite tv for pc produced by South Korea’s Hanwha Systems , the ministry mentioned in an announcement.
The ministry hailed the launch as reaching a milestone at a time when Pyongyang just lately launched a army spy satellite tv for pc, which the United States and its allies have condemned for utilizing missile know-how contravening U.N. safety decision.
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South Korea’s profitable launch would speed up the nation’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the ministry mentioned. Monday’s check flight comes after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea’s first spy satellite tv for pc into orbit on Friday from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Last month, North Korea launched its personal army reconnaissance satellite tv for pc, with chief Kim Jong Un receiving pictures of White House, Pentagon and U.S. plane carriers on the naval base of Norfolk, based on state media.
A functioning reconnaissance satellite tv for pc might give North Korea its first functionality to remotely monitor U.S., South Korean, and Japanese troops. South Korea’s satellites would scale back its dependence on American intelligence programs.
Pyongyang has not launched any imagery, nonetheless, leaving analysts and international governments to debate how succesful the brand new satellite tv for pc is and has defended satellite tv for pc launches as a part of its sovereign rights in response to criticism.
