[속보] Next-generation medium-sized satellite 1 successfully launched in Kazakh

‘Next-generation medium-sized satellite #1’ smoothly left the ground and soared into the sky.

The Russian Soyuz rocket launch vehicle equipped with Korea’s next-generation medium-sized satellite 1 for ground observation was successfully launched from a space base in Kazakhstan in Central Asia on the 22nd.

According to the Russian Federation of Space Agency (Roscosmos), a Russian Soyuz-2.1a rocket launch vehicle carrying a Korean satellite was launched from the base of Baikonur in Kazakhstan at 11:7 a.m. (local time and 3:7 p.m. Korean time). .

Los Cosmos said on this day, “The Soyouth-2.1a rocket launch vehicle was successfully launched at the specified time.” About 9 minutes after launch, the acceleration block Fregat was separated from the 3rd stage of the rocket along with the satellites, and about an hour later, the satellites were targeted. It will enter orbit.”

In the live broadcast of the launch that took place online that day, not only Korea, but also the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tunisia, and Russia also participated, raising expectations for this satellite launch.

The next-generation medium-sized satellite 1 will be separated from the launch vehicle approximately 64 minutes after launch, and will be the first to communicate with the Norwegian Svalbard ground station approximately 38 minutes after launch (about 102 minutes after launch).

Initially, the Soyuz-2.1a was scheduled to be launched on the 20th with 38 satellites from 18 countries, including Korea’s next-generation medium-sized satellite 1, but a problem was found in the control system of the accelerator block (Fregot) on the top of the rocket at the final inspection stage. It has been postponed twice.

After launch, the next-generation medium-sized satellite 1 is expected to send detailed ground observation images in earnest from October after the initial operation process such as inspection and correction in the first and second stages for more than 6 months in a solar synchronous orbit at an altitude of 497.8 km after launch. . The mission life is 4 years.

The satellite is equipped with an optical camera with a resolution of 0.5m in black and white and 2.0m in color.

It was developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute with the participation of domestic aerospace companies, and has succeeded in localizing over 90% of parts. 157.9 billion won was invested, including the Ministry of Science and ICT’s budget of 112.8 billion won and the Ministry of Land’s budget of 45.1 billion won.

Reporter Han Young-hye [email protected]