ID :
72442
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 20:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/72442
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea considers extending operational life of multipurpose satellite
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering extending the operational
life of its multipurpose satellite following an overall mechanical evaluation, a
state-run research institute said Monday.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said the Arirang 2 satellite
appears to be able to remain in orbit even after surpassing its life span, as no
major problems have been detected in its command and control systems, data
collection, sending capability and energy reserves.
The 800kg satellite, launched in late July 2006 from Russia's Plesetsk
Cosmodrome, had a mission life of three years.
"Because the satellite is functioning normally, engineers are currently reviewing
a move to extend operations up to 2011," a KARI official said.
The Arirang 2 is equipped with a high-resolution, multi-spectral camera jointly
developed by KARI and Electro-Optics Industries Ltd. of Israel and has given
Seoul the ability to take high-resolution pictures of the Earth's surface from
its relatively low orbit.
It has a resolution of 1 square meter, close enough to distinguish individual
cars on the ground. Only a handful of countries, including the United States,
Russia, France, Israel and Japan, have satellites with comparable camera
resolutions.
The camera also provides about 40 times the picture clarity compared to the
6-meter resolution camera on board the Arirang 1 satellite launched in December
1999.
The new multipurpose satellite took seven years to build and cost 263 billion won
(US$211 million). It can travel at 6.8 kilometers per second and circle the globe
every 100 minutes, or 14.5 times a day.
From August 2006 to June 30, the satellite has taken a total of 893,684 photos
and circled the Earth 16,000 times. The photos sent by the satellite have been
sold commercially, generating $22 million in earnings.
KARI said it plans to launch the Arirang 3, a follow-up satellite equipped with a
high-resolution and multi-spectral camera, in 2011, while a radar-equipped
machine is to be sent into orbit in May next year.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering extending the operational
life of its multipurpose satellite following an overall mechanical evaluation, a
state-run research institute said Monday.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said the Arirang 2 satellite
appears to be able to remain in orbit even after surpassing its life span, as no
major problems have been detected in its command and control systems, data
collection, sending capability and energy reserves.
The 800kg satellite, launched in late July 2006 from Russia's Plesetsk
Cosmodrome, had a mission life of three years.
"Because the satellite is functioning normally, engineers are currently reviewing
a move to extend operations up to 2011," a KARI official said.
The Arirang 2 is equipped with a high-resolution, multi-spectral camera jointly
developed by KARI and Electro-Optics Industries Ltd. of Israel and has given
Seoul the ability to take high-resolution pictures of the Earth's surface from
its relatively low orbit.
It has a resolution of 1 square meter, close enough to distinguish individual
cars on the ground. Only a handful of countries, including the United States,
Russia, France, Israel and Japan, have satellites with comparable camera
resolutions.
The camera also provides about 40 times the picture clarity compared to the
6-meter resolution camera on board the Arirang 1 satellite launched in December
1999.
The new multipurpose satellite took seven years to build and cost 263 billion won
(US$211 million). It can travel at 6.8 kilometers per second and circle the globe
every 100 minutes, or 14.5 times a day.
From August 2006 to June 30, the satellite has taken a total of 893,684 photos
and circled the Earth 16,000 times. The photos sent by the satellite have been
sold commercially, generating $22 million in earnings.
KARI said it plans to launch the Arirang 3, a follow-up satellite equipped with a
high-resolution and multi-spectral camera, in 2011, while a radar-equipped
machine is to be sent into orbit in May next year.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
