Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on the 30th that the U.S. Space Force revealed that there are various ways to block the operation of North Korean reconnaissance satellites.
In response to RFA’s question, “Does North Korea have the capability to block the activities of the reconnaissance satellite launched last week?” Klinkel Sherrill, director of the U.S. Space Force Command’s Public Affairs Office, responded, “Using various reversible and irreversible methods to attack the enemy’s entire space domain in orbit, on the ground, and in cyberspace, etc. “It can reduce the ability to utilize it,” he said.
Regarding this, senior researcher Bruce Bennett, a military expert at the US Rand Research Institute, explained to RFA that the ‘reversible method’ that the US Space Force refers to “means disabling and then restoring the detection ability by blinding the satellite for a certain period of time.”
Senior researcher Bennett went on to say that the ‘irreversible method’ is to “destroy the satellite’s operational capabilities,” adding, “This could be destroying the satellite itself or burning the satellite’s electronics.”
In addition, regarding the US Space Force’s statement that ‘it can reduce the enemy’s ability to utilize all areas of space, including orbital, ground, and cyber,’ he said, “It can destroy not only satellites, but also satellite ground stations, interfere with radio waves, or inject viruses into base stations and satellite communication programs.” He added, “It says things like that.”
After launching its first military reconnaissance satellite, ‘Manrikyeong-1’, on the 21st, North Korea immediately declared ‘success’ and is showing off its performance, saying that photos taken by the satellite are being reported to Party Secretary General Kim Jong-un from time to time.
According to North Korea, this reconnaissance satellite photographed major South Korean military facilities as well as key ROK-U.S. facilities, including the White House, the Pentagon, and the naval base in San Diego, California. However, the actual photos taken have not been released.
North Korea has announced that the Great Mirror 1 will “perform a formal reconnaissance mission from the 1st of next month after completing the detailed control process,” so reports regarding the start of the mission are expected to come out as early as tomorrow.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.