The next-generation mid-size satellite No. 3, launched in the early morning on the 27th aboard the Korean launch vehicle Nuri (KSLV-II), successfully entered its target orbit and established consecutive communications, moving into a stable initial operations phase. Of the 12 rideshare satellites launched together, communications with five have also been completed with ground stations.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration said Chajung-3 entered the planned orbit normally and achieved two-way communications with the Antarctic King Sejong Station ground station at about 1:55 a.m. It then succeeded in additional communications through the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) ground station antenna in Daejeon at around 2:48 a.m. So far, it has conducted two two-way communications with the KARI ground station and 12 with overseas ground stations (Antarctic King Sejong Station, Svalbard, Norway).
Through these communications, it was confirmed that the main components of the Chajung-3 satellite bus are functioning normally. Additional communications will continue to receive satellite health data for detailed checks.
Chajung-3 will undergo initial operations for the next two months to check payloads and prepare for its mission, and then, in a sun-synchronous orbit, it will circle Earth about 15 times a day for one year to carry out space science missions. Chajung-3 carries the BioCabinet for verification of three-dimensional differentiation culture of stem cells based on bio 3D printing, the ionospheric and magnetospheric measurement instrument (IAMMAP), and the wide-field atmospheric light imager for space (ROKITS).
Meanwhile, the 12 CubeSat rideshare satellites have begun initial communications and performance checks at their respective lead institutions. Among them, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)'s ETRISat, Cosmo Works' JACK-003 and -004, Inha University's InhaRoSat, and KAIST's K-HERO, five in total, have completed communications with ground stations.
Some of the remaining seven are scheduled to attempt first contact, and satellites that have not communicated will continue to attempt additional communications according to schedule.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration said, "Because each rideshare satellite communicates individually through its institution's own ground station, the timing of contacts differs, and the timing of initial success assessments also varies," adding, "On Dec. 2, five days after launch, we will compile and announce the status of the rideshare satellites."
Yoon Yeong-bin, head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "The success of the fourth Nuri launch is expected to provide performance verification opportunities for 13 satellites and help strengthen the capabilities of the satellite industry through mission execution in space. We will also prepare the fifth and sixth launches successfully to provide performance verification opportunities for the satellites scheduled to be onboard without a hitch."