Fine Dust and Algal Blooms in Sharper Focus as Cheollian Satellite 6 Development Gets Underway

More Than Double Environmental Observation Resolution and Wavelength Range; Increase Ocean Observation Channels from 12 to 16
Pursue Localization of Hybrid Propulsion System; Expand Private-Sector-Led Satellite Development

Development is set to begin in earnest on a next-generation geostationary satellite capable of more precisely observing everything from air pollutants such as fine dust and ozone to green and brown algal blooms in the sea. The plan is to more than double the environmental observation resolution and wavelength range compared with the existing satellite, while enhancing its ocean-observation capabilities to strengthen responses to climate change and marine disasters.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) said on November 12 that it will hold a briefing on the development project for the geostationary environmental and ocean satellite (Cheollian Satellite 6) at the KW Convention Center in Daejeon on November 13, together with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

Overview of the Cheollian Satellite 6 development project. Provided by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA)

Cheollian Satellite 6 is a next-generation satellite that will take over the environmental and ocean-observation missions of the currently operating Cheollian Satellite 2B. It passed the preliminary feasibility study for a national research and development project in August this year, and the government plans to expand participation by domestic industries, academia, and research institutions, starting with this briefing.

Enhanced Environmental and Ocean Observation Capabilities and Localization of Core Technologies

The environmental payload will be developed to observe air pollutants, including ultrafine dust and ozone near the ground, more frequently and accurately. The plan is to more than double the spatial resolution and observation wavelength range compared with the existing satellite, enabling precise monitoring of the movement and distribution of air pollutants. The satellite's capacity to observe substances that drive climate change will also be strengthened.

The ocean payload will increase the number of observation channels from 12 to 16 and add five new polarization channels. This will make it possible to distinguish green and brown algal blooms and more accurately monitor changes in the coastal marine environment, as well as marine disasters and accidents.

Plan for utilizing observation data from Cheollian Satellite No. 6. Provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration.

New technologies will also be applied to the satellite bus. A satellite platform capable of simultaneous observation by the environmental and ocean payloads will be developed, and efforts will be made to localize a hybrid propulsion system combining chemical and electric propulsion. The plan is also to strengthen domestic private companies' capacity to develop geostationary satellites by having industry lead satellite development.

Seong Jiwon, director of the Air Quality Research Department at the National Institute of Environmental Research, said, "Building on Cheollian Satellite 6's enhanced observation capabilities, we will provide environmental information services that people can experience firsthand by observing air pollutants and climate change-inducing substances in detail."

Jang Myoin, head of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, said, "Through the development of Cheollian Satellite 6, we will establish a foundation for continuously observing our seas for more than 30 years and strengthen our capacity to analyze and monitor changes in the marine environment."

Kim Jinhee, director of the Satellite Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "Cheollian Satellite 6 is an important project that will carry out environmental and ocean-observation missions closely connected to people's daily lives while taking domestic geostationary satellite development capabilities to the next level." Kim added, "We will strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's space industry through private-sector-led satellite development and the localization of core technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.