By Yoon Sung-won
Korea will launch a multipurpose satellite later this month from Russia.
According to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the Multipurpose Satellite 3A is scheduled to be sent into orbit from Yasny at 7:08 a.m. (KST) on March 26.
“Added to the existing two optical satellites and an imaging radar satellite, the new satellite will establish a full-range satellite system to observe the earth,” the ministry said Wednesday. “We expect that Korea will be able to obtain images regardless of time and weather conditions.”
The ministry said the Korea Aerospace Research Institute had been developing the satellite since 2006 and it was the nation’s first with infrared observation sensors and high-resolution optical lenses.
The satellite was manufactured, assembled and tested in Korea last October and sent to the Russian launch facility on November 25. Researchers from the institute have also been sent to the site to prepare for the launch.
The satellite will orbit 528 kilometers above the earth and conduct terrestrial observation missions for the next four years. It will provide data on climate change, disasters, natural resources and the environment.