South Korea launches next-generation medium satellite 4 for agricultural and forestry observation

South Korea's next-generation medium satellite, CAS500-4, has been successfully launched into orbit. The satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 00:12 AM local time on July 7.

Developed primarily for agricultural and forestry observation, CAS500-4 utilizes a standard 500kg-class platform established during the first phase of the CAS500 project. It is equipped with advanced optical equipment that can distinguish details as small as 5 meters and capture images across a swath of 120 kilometers in a single pass. This capability is expected to support various public demands, including monitoring crop conditions, analyzing farmland, and observing changes in forest ecosystems.

Approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes after launch, the satellite separated from the Falcon 9 rocket. It is scheduled to communicate with the Svalbard ground station in Norway to confirm its successful arrival in the target orbit. CAS500-4 will undergo an initial operational phase for four months in its designated orbit of approximately 888 kilometers before commencing its full mission in the first half of 2027.

The CAS500-4 satellite was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and is part of South Korea's ongoing efforts to enhance its independent satellite technology and Earth observation capabilities.