- SpaceX has successfully launched South Korea’s first military satellite “ANASIS-II”.
- ANASIS-II satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket.
- It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US 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 was previously named as KMitSatCom-1. It replaces the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a combined civilian and military communications satellite launched in 2006.
- 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.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- South Korea President: Moon Jae-in.
- South Korea Capital: Seoul.
- South Korea Currency: South Korean Won.
- SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk.
- SpaceX president & COO: Gwynne Shotwell.
- SpaceX Founded: 2002.
- SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.