South Korea's spy satellite set for launch

South Korea has unveiled plans to launch its first domestically developed spy satellite by the end of this month, marking a significant advancement in its monitoring capabilities over North Korea's nuclear activities. This announcement follows North Korea's recent failure to launch its own reconnaissance satellite in October.

Scheduled for liftoff from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 30, the military spy satellite will be carried by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This move is part of a broader initiative, with South Korea aiming to launch four more spy satellites by 2025 under a contract with SpaceX.

Presently reliant on U.S. spy satellites for monitoring North Korean movements, South Korea's upcoming launch represents a stride toward establishing an autonomous space-based surveillance system. This development is expected to substantially strengthen the nation's overall defen...