Vandenberg: South Korea on Tuesday launched its fourth Earth observation satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

According to Anadolu Agency, the satellite, part of the Transporter-17 rideshare mission, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 12:12 am local time (0712GMT), carrying a total of 81 payloads.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) reported that the satellite was scheduled to separate from the launch vehicle approximately two hours and 22 minutes after liftoff. It was set to make its first communication with the Svalbard ground station in Norway about 31 minutes later. The satellite is equipped with a domestically developed wide-area observation camera, capable of imaging the entire Korean Peninsula every three days.

This satellite marks South Korea's first dedicated to agriculture and forestry, with its applications spanning crop monitoring, forest management, disaster response, and climate analysis. It is expected to enter full service in the first half of 2027.