[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military Satellites to Detect Hypersonic Missiles

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The military authorities plan to invest 16 trillion won in space development for defense over the next 10 years. Through this, large reconnaissance satellites, including five satellites for monitoring North Korea's nuclear missiles under the 425 project, as well as micro reconnaissance satellites and KPS (Korean Positioning System), known as the 'Korean GPS,' will be gradually introduced by the 2030s.

Originally, the military planned to launch reconnaissance satellites by this year through a mid-term plan in 2014. However, at the 330th Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting in 2019, it was re-decided to develop them by 2024.

The delay in operational deployment was due to unresolved disagreements among related ministries. The National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of National Defense clashed over the management of one reconnaissance satellite equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) surveillance equipment and four satellites equipped with high-performance synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

However, the KPS control system will be operated separately by civilian and military sectors to prevent interruptions during satellite operations. The civilian satellite control center will be established at Cheongju Airport, while the military satellite control center will be set up at the Air Force Operations Command's Space Operations Squadron. Additionally, the military plans to possess four antenna stations and six surveillance stations.

The resolution of military reconnaissance satellites is grade 7 (0.2?0.4m). They can identify the shape of small fighter jets and even the types of missiles mounted on launchers. The resolution of micro reconnaissance satellites is grade 5 (0.75?1.2m), capable of detecting Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs) and distinguishing support vehicles.

The problem lies in manpower. The Ministry of National Defense's Intelligence Command states that at least about 230 personnel are needed to control the satellites. However, the number approved by the military until 2024 is only 135, about half of the required amount. There are calls to increase personnel before the reconnaissance satellites become operational to cultivate specialized personnel.

A military official said, "To detect North Korea's hypersonic missiles early, it is essential to possess reconnaissance satellites," adding, "There must be programs to train specialized personnel starting now for satellite operations."

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