Photo/Illutration North Korea tests what it said was a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5. Photo distributed by the Korean Central News Agency (Provided by Korea News Service)

Japan plans to deploy a network of 50 compact satellites in a low Earth orbit to track next-generation hypersonic missiles capable of evading current defense systems, according to multiple sources.

The satellite constellation system being considered by the Defense Ministry will also come in handy if legislation is passed to give the Self-Defense Forces the capability to strike enemy missile bases.

The satellites, designed to work together in a coordinated and integrated manner, will make frequent passes over specific targets, giving Japan an additional window to assess whether enemy military units are preparing to mount hostile action, sources in the government and ruling coalition said.

“If Japan acquires the capability to strike enemy bases, the satellites will be useful to gather information on the targets of its attacks,” said a government source. 

Once the satellite system is in place, a verification test will also be held to spot and track hypersonic missiles that keep changing course as they fly in excess of Mach 5, five times faster than the speed of sound.

The Defense Ministry is looking to specify the satellite constellation framework in the next Mid-Term Defense Program for the period from fiscal 2023 until fiscal 2027.

The defense plan is one of three prominent security documents scheduled for modification by the year-end.

Plans call for the satellites to be launched one after another during the defense program’s period. Plans are being discussed to get private organizations to handle the operation.

Combined with the use of images taken by private satellites as well as intelligence from the United States, the satellite constellation system will allow Japan to sharply bolster its information-gathering ability, officials said.

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