S. Korea's 2nd military spy satellite launched from Kennedy Space Center

SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's second homegrown military spy satellite has been launched from a U.S. space center in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The Falcon 9 lifted off at 7:17 p.m. on Sunday (U.S. Eastern Time) from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida and separated the first and second stage rockets 2 minutes and 18 seconds after the launch as scheduled.

It is the second military satellite launched under South Korea's plan to acquire five spy satellites by 2025 to better monitor North Korea.

The satellite was equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors that capture data using microwaves and are capable of collecting data regardless of weather conditions. The other three satellites will also be equipped with SAR sensors.

Electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images of the Earth's surface were fitted on the first satellite launched in December.

When operated together, the five satellites are expected to provide regular coverage at about two-hour intervals, according to analysts.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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