Arirang 7 multipurpose satellite successfully put into orbit

Arirang 7 satellite launches at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, Monday. Courtesy of Arianespace

Arirang 7, Korea's multipurpose satellite, has successfully entered orbit after lifting off from a space center in South America, the country's space agency said Tuesday.

Also known as the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7, the satellite was deployed from the Vega-C rocket 44 minutes after launching from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana at 2:21 p.m. Monday (French Guiana time), or 2:21 a.m. Tuesday (Korean time), according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The rocket is operated by France-based Arianespace.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the developer of Arirang 7, confirmed the satellite's status when it made its first contact with Russia's Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. (Korean time).

KARI also verified its successful orbital insertion through data from Arianespace.

Arirang 7, equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, is expected to provide high-quality imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring, and urban heat island analysis.

The satellite is expected to begin transmitting observation data in the first half of 2026 after completing a series of test operations.

"Arirang 7 will help Korea further advance the precise Earth observation capabilities that we have independently developed," said Lee Sang-cheol, president of KARI. "Once Arirang 7 enters full operation, it will provide swift and accurate information through enhanced domestic image-collection capabilities for disaster monitoring and land management."

The launch comes about a week after Korea sent the Nuri rocket into space with 13 satellites on board.

KASA said it expects the recent achievements to accelerate the country's satellite development projects.

The Arirang 6 satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard Vega-C next year, and the planned launches of two next-generation midsized satellites are also under way.

"We will now actively support the transfer of these mature satellite development capabilities to the private sector, enabling them to become a driving force for Korea's space economy," said Yoon Young-bin, head of KASA.