The Korea AeroSpace Administration on the 17th released the first images captured by the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7 (Arirang 7) and Next-generation Medium Satellite 3 (Next-generation Medium Satellite 3), along with initial operations results. The two satellites, launched in December and November last year, respectively, are undergoing initial operations to verify that they are functioning properly in space.
Arirang 7 is a high-resolution optical satellite that precisely observes land, resources, and disaster situations. An optical satellite uses light, like a camera, to image Earth's surface.
A test image released by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) shows Seoul's Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium captured by Arirang 7. The satellite targets sub-30-centimeter-class resolution, which can distinguish ground objects in great detail. Considering that the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 1 (Arirang 1), launched in 1999, had a resolution of 6.6 meters, performance has improved significantly.
Kim Jin-hee, head of the satellites division at the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said at a briefing that day, "The 30-centimeter-class ultra-high-resolution imagery captured road lane markings, crosswalks, and arrow signs relatively clearly. On close inspection, you can even distinguish vehicle types," and noted, "Compared with the 55-centimeter-class photos taken by the existing Korea Multipurpose Satellite 3A (Arirang 3A), the perceived difference is similar to moving from HDTV to UHD."
As resolution increases, the range of uses for satellite imagery also expands. Beyond land management and urban change analysis, it can aid disaster response that requires quickly surveying wide areas, such as wildfires or flood damage. In particular, when dry weather persists as recently, high-precision imagery is highly valuable for determining the extent of wildfire damage and tracking its spread.
Meanwhile, Next-generation Medium Satellite 3 not only takes pictures of Earth but also serves as a research platform performing space environment and life-science experiments. It carries the space wide-field airglow imager (ROKITS), the space plasma–magnetic field analyzer (IAMMAP), and the bio 3D printing–based stem cell 3D differentiation culture validator (Bio Cabinet).
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) also released aurora observation data, space plasma and magnetic field data, and space bio experiment data secured by Next-generation Medium Satellite 3.
Auroras occur when particles from the sun meet Earth's magnetic field and emit light in the upper atmosphere. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)'s ROKITS is an instrument that observes such auroras and airglow, and it also captured footage during the geomagnetic storm on Feb. 14. A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the near-Earth space environment caused by solar activity; because it can affect communications and satellite operations, it holds significant observational value.
KAIST's IAMMAP observed changes in space plasma and magnetic fields in the altitude region where the satellite flies. Plasma refers to electrically charged particles spread through space, and the observations can serve as foundational data for research on space weather forecasting and satellite operations, including communication disruptions and GPS errors.
Hallym University's Bio Cabinet is conducting experiments to 3D print artificial heart tissue and culture stem cells in 3D in space. Initial results show that 3D printing proceeded normally, and in some cultured cells, active vascular differentiation different from that on the ground was observed.
The two satellites are currently undergoing calibration and validation to improve the accuracy of their data. Arirang 7 will enter normal operations in the second half of this year, and Next-generation Medium Satellite 3 will begin normal operations starting in April, providing full-scale imagery and data.
Oh Tae-seok, administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "The initial operations results of these two satellites are a landmark achievement showing that South Korea's satellite development capabilities have taken a leap forward, and a tangible outcome that signals the strengthening of national Earth-observation capabilities and the opening of a new era of private sector–led satellite development," adding, "We will continue to organically link satellite development, utilization, and industry promotion to steadily deliver space achievements that the public can feel."