The development project for the Cheollian Satellite 5 is being led by the private sector.
The Korea Aerospace Administration and the Korea Meteorological Administration noted that they held the 8th Steering Committee meeting for the Geostationary Complex Satellite Development Project on the morning of the 24th at the conference room of the Airport Railroad at Seoul Station.
During the meeting, the committee discussed the report on the 'Geostationary Weather and Space Weather Satellite Development Project,' the country's third weather satellite development project, and plans for selecting the lead research and development organization. This project for the next-generation weather satellite Cheollian Satellite 5 will cost 600 billion won.
The Cheollian Satellite 5 development project will be the first in the country where a private corporation oversees the overall satellite system in a geostationary satellite development project. Shin Dong-hyun, head of the Observation Infrastructure Division at the Korea Meteorological Administration, said, "The Cheollian Satellite 5 development project, which will be the first privately led geostationary satellite development in the country, will be successfully advanced with the Korea Meteorological Administration playing its role as the supervising department, and I will do my utmost to ensure that the steering committee supports this effort."
The currently operational Cheollian Satellite 2A will conclude its service in July 2029. Cheollian Satellite 5 aims for launch in 2031. Previously, Cheollian Satellite 1 and 2A were developed under the guidance of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), but this time, a private lead development organization will be selected to carry out the project. The goal is to enhance the capabilities of domestic private corporations in developing geostationary satellites.
To address potential intellectual property issues that may arise in this process, a technology transfer task force was also established under the lead of KARI before selecting the lead development organization. Once the lead development organization is selected, a technology transfer consultative body consisting of the Korea Meteorological Administration, KARI, and the lead development organization will formalize a specific technology transfer contract. (Related article: [Exclusive] "Next-generation launch vehicle conflict serves as a lesson" technology transfer consultative body for Cheollian Satellite 5 will be established)
Kim Jin-hee, head of the Satellite Division at the Korea Space Administration, said, "Today's steering committee was a decision committee for the newly initiated geostationary satellite development project," and added, "I hope that today's steering committee will serve as a springboard for future domestic geostationary satellite development projects to be led by the private sector and flourish."