South Korea, through its Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), confirmed that it had contracted SpaceX to launch the five satellites of its military “425 project” on 11 April. The deal outlines that all five units will be launched by 2025 with the first launch, carrying the optical unit, planned to take place “before the end of 2023”.
The 425 project is a South Korean programme intended to improve its space-based reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in regards to is neighbour, North Korea. The five satellites will consist of one electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging unit and four synthetic aperture radar (SAR) units. The satellites will be conduct their mission from LEO and are intended to provide 30-50 cm resolution imagery, with a 2 hour revisit time over the Korean peninsula.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Transporter-4 mission to orbit on 1 April 2022. Courtesy of SpaceX
France
Exotrail, a French newspace company, which has developed its own line of electric Hall-effect thrusters announced its own launch contract with SpaceX on 12 April. This contract is for the first in its own line of Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) called SpaceVan. According to the announcement the SpaceVan will be included on a SpaceX rideshare mission planned for October 2023 and utilising a Falcon 9 rocket.
Exotrail’s SpaceVan will utilise its own line of ExoMG electric thrusters to enable altitude and inclination changes and is expected to have a payload capacity of up to 400 kg.
Exotrail state that “At least three subsequent missions” are planned for 2024 however, these will reportedly be “onboard multiple different launchers”.
