Falcon 9 Block 5 | KOMPSAT-7A

Falcon 9's Role in Deploying South Korea's KOMPSAT-7A Satellite

On November 30, 2026, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch the KOMPSAT-7A satellite from a yet-to-be-specified site, marking another milestone in international space collaboration. This mission underscores the growing partnership between South Korea's space agency and private American launch providers, aiming to enhance Earth observation capabilities for governmental and institutional purposes.

At the heart of the mission is the KOMPSAT-7A satellite, part of the Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) series developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). As a successor to KOMPSAT-3A, which has been operational since 2015, KOMPSAT-7A focuses on delivering high-resolution optical imagery. Its primary objectives include supporting disaster management, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and national security through detailed Earth observations. The satellite is equipped with an advanced electro-optical camera capable of capturing images with a ground resolution of up to 0.3 meters in panchromatic mode and 1.2 meters in multispectral mode. This allows for precise mapping and analysis, such as tracking deforestation, assessing crop health, or monitoring infrastructure changes. Additionally, KOMPSAT-7A incorporates improved data processing systems for faster image delivery, enabling real-time applications in emergency responses. While the mission profile mentions both KOMPSAT-7 and 7A, details suggest 7A is the primary payload, potentially with 7 serving as a complementary unit for enhanced coverage or redundancy.

The launch vehicle, Falcon 9 Block 5, represents the pinnacle of SpaceX's reusable rocket technology. Standing at 70 meters tall with a diameter of 3.7 meters, it features two stages: the first powered by nine Merlin 1D engines generating over 7.6 million Newtons of thrust at sea level, and the second by a single vacuum-optimized Merlin engine. The Block 5 variant, introduced in 2018, includes upgrades like strengthened heat shields, improved landing legs, and enhanced engine performance for greater reusability. It can deliver up to 22,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO) in expendable mode or about 15,000 kilograms when the first stage is recovered. For the KOMPSAT-7A mission, the rocket will likely target a sun-synchronous orbit around 600