[Breaking] Successful Launch of Korea's First Dedicated Military Communication Satellite

Launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Kennedy Space Center, USA
First communication attempt with French Satellite Operations Center (TSOC) about 18 minutes later

On the afternoon of the 20th (local time in the United States), the military's independent communication satellite ANASIS-II is preparing for launch. (Photo by Defense Acquisition Program Administration)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] South Korea's first dedicated military communications satellite, 'Anasis 2,' was successfully launched. With this, our military has become the 10th country in the world to secure a dedicated military satellite.

On the 21st, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced, "Anasis 2 was successfully launched at 5:30 PM on the 20th (local time in the U.S.) from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the United States."

Anasis 2 separated normally from the Falcon 9 launch vehicle about 32 minutes after launch at an altitude of approximately 630 km. About 18 minutes later (50 minutes after launch), it is scheduled to attempt its first communication with the Toulouse Satellite Operations Center (TSOC) in France. TSOC (Toulouse Space Operations Center) is a satellite control center located in Toulouse, France. This institution monitors the satellite's status and analyzes received information during the initial orbit operation phase (LEOP) after launch until it reaches its target orbit.

Approximately 2 Weeks Later, Arrival at Geostationary Orbit at 36,000 km Altitude
About 1 Month of Performance Verification After Geostationary Orbit Arrival

The satellite manufacturer, Airbus of France, plans to continuously check the overall status of Anasis 2, including its main body, through communication with ground stations and verify whether the satellite settles into its target orbit. After launch, Anasis 2 will deploy its antennas and solar panels to check power supply and operational capability necessary for mission execution. Then, through orbit adjustments over about two weeks, it will finally settle into a geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km. After arriving at the geostationary orbit, the satellite's performance will be verified for about one month. The first stage booster B1058 of the Falcon 9 rocket used for this launch was previously used to carry the 'Crew Dragon' on its first manned flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 30 and was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean for reuse preparation.

Anasis 2 was launched as an offset trade agreement (technology transfer or compensation related to arms sales) with Lockheed Martin when the Korean military introduced the F-35A stealth fighter. Airbus manufactured it based on the 'Eurostar E3000' satellite. Anasis 2 can perform its mission in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the Korean Peninsula using its own propulsion system.

Currently, the Korean military has established a military communication system using the dual-use satellite 'Mugunghwa 5,' but since it is not exclusively military, it was vulnerable to enemy 'jamming' (radio interference) attacks. If the existing dual-use satellite is jammed by the enemy, the military has no choice but to use the U.S. military's satellite communication network.

A military official said, "Securing the first dedicated military satellite is also related to securing key capabilities for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON)." He added, "The military plans to gradually secure surveillance reconnaissance satellites and early warning satellites in the future, and it is expected that the Korean military's ability to conduct independent operations will improve."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.