The Korea Aerospace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced on that day that they have completed the development of Arirang 7, a world-class high-resolution (resolution below 0.3m) optical observation satellite, with domestic independent technology and held a Pre-Ship Review (PSR) on the 23rd.
Arirang 7, which began its project in August 2016, completed detailed design in April 2019, and all satellite assembly and space environment tests have been completed by December 2023. It is currently in storage mode, waiting for launch.
At the Pre-Ship Review, over 100 experts in satellite development and officials from relevant departments, along with research personnel involved in the satellite development, reviewed and confirmed the results of satellite assembly and testing, satellite status checks, launch preparations, ground station readiness, and initial operational preparation status to finalize satellite development and check the feasibility of launch.
Arirang 7 will be transported to the launch site in mid-September this year, where it will undergo satellite status checks, fuel injection, and integration with the launch vehicle at the Guiana Space Centre in South America, undergoing about a month of preparations before it is scheduled to be launched by Arianespace's Vega C rocket in November. The Vega C launch vehicle is a four-stage rocket that uses solid fuel for the first to third stages and liquid fuel for the fourth stage, capable of launching approximately 2.3 tons to an altitude of 700 km.
After the launch, it will settle into its target orbit and undergo an initial operation and calibration process for about six months, starting full satellite operations in the second half of next year.
Jeon Hyung-yeol, director of the satellite space exploration institute at KARI, noted, "Arirang 7 will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm Korea's independent ultra-high-resolution optical observation satellite technology development capabilities while contributing to establishing a foothold for Korea to enter the global medium to large satellite market."
Kim Jin-hee, head of the satellite department at the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, "Once Arirang 7 is launched, it will be able to provide globally competitive high-quality satellite images that can be utilized for disaster and disaster, land and environmental monitoring, public safety, and urban heat island phenomena through high-resolution optical cameras and infrared (IR) sensors under 0.3m." She added, "To provide higher levels of satellite services, we will actively promote the advancement and localization of satellite technology in the future."