[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] First Successful Communication with Military Reconnaissance Satellite No. 1

Our military's first military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 was launched in the early morning of the 2nd (around 3:19 AM KST on December 2) from the U.S. Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 launched that day was carried on SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. It is the world's only reusable launch vehicle, with a launch success rate of 99.2%. As of August this year, out of 246 launches, 244 were successful. The Falcon 9 is a two-stage liquid-propellant (kerosene + liquid oxygen) rocket. The first stage booster separated 2 minutes and 22 seconds after launch. Then, the second stage engine ignited, the fairing separated, and the second stage engine performed its first shutdown in sequence. After 12 minutes and 16 seconds from launch, the satellite separated and entered orbit. About an hour later, it successfully made first contact with an overseas ground station. Six hours later, it will attempt communication with a domestic ground station.

The 'Falcon 9' launch vehicle of the American space company SpaceX, carrying our military's reconnaissance satellite No. 1, was launched from Vandenberg Base in California at 3:19 a.m. Korean time on the 2nd (10:19 a.m. local time on the 1st). (Photo by SpaceX website capture)

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