South Korea launched its first military communications satellite, Army/Navy/Air Force Satellite Information System 2(ANASIS-II). The satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket developed by US space firm SpaceX. It was lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US state of Florida.
- With this launch South Korea has become the 10th country to own a military-only communications satellite, which will provide permanent and secured military communications.
- ANASIS-II is SpaceX’s 1st geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) mission of 2020.
About ANASIS-II
Key Facts
ANASIS-II was previously named as KMitSatCom-1. It supplements the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a combined civilian and military communications satellite launched in 2006.
Construction
i.As part of a package for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A combat aircraft, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) contracted with Lockheed Martin for the satellite.
ii.Lockheed Martin then subcontracted the construction of the satellite to Airbus Defence and Space.
iii.Airbus Defence and Space manufactured the satellite in France as part of an offset obligation related to a USD 7 billion sale of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to South Korea in 2014.
iv.The spacecraft of the satellite is based on Airbus’s Eurostar E3000 satellite bus. Over 80 of which have been ordered for various communications missions.
Note– The satellite is expected to reach its orbit of 36,000 kilometres in 2 weeks. The South Korea’s military will take over the system in October after testing.
About South Korea:
Capital– Seoul
Currency– South Korean Won
Recent Related News:
i.China launched the last satellite for its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). A Long March 3B rocket launched the final BDS into orbit from the satellite launch center.
ii.Russia to launch its 1st satellite ‘Arktika-M’ by December 9, 2020 to monitor Arctic climate & environment.
