[Nuri’s success] Carried the largest number of satellites into space… ‘Era of constellation satellites’ opened

During the system of 10 ultra-small constellation satellites, the Korean Peninsula was photographed more than three times a day.

Satellite production 2-3 years → 2 months… Establishment of mass production system and acceleration of New Space

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Cho Seung-han = The Korean launch vehicle Nuri succeeded in launching several main satellites at once and landing them in orbit for the first time on the 7th, ushering in a full-fledged era of constellation satellites in Korea.

The ultra-small swarm satellite launched this time is Korea's first mass-produced Earth observation satellite that observes the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters at high frequency. If 5 more satellites are added next year, a total of 10 swarm satellites will be equipped with a swarm operation system that will be able to capture images of the Korean Peninsula more than 3 times a day.

In particular, with the establishment of a mass production system that shortens the production period for each satellite from 2 to 3 years to about 2 months, the 'New Space' method, in which the private sector creates new services by mass producing and operating low-cost satellites, is expected to accelerate entry into the domestic market.

◇ A system of 10 ultra-small constellation satellites… Filmed more than 3 times a day on the Korean Peninsula

The main satellite, the ultra-small constellation satellite, is the first practical constellation satellite in Korea to be launched simultaneously and begin its mission, and is expected to become a symbol of entering the New Space era, which refers to private-led space development.

The micro-swarm satellite project was jointly carried out by the Space Administration and the National Intelligence Service to develop satellites to respond to national security and disasters by closely monitoring the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters at high frequency.

It is Korea's first mass-produced Earth observation satellite manufactured using low-cost components.

It is equipped with an electro-optical camera payload that weighs less than 100 kg and has a resolution that can distinguish objects measuring 1 m in black and white and 4 m in color at an altitude of 500 km.

When five additional micro-swarm satellites Nos. 7 to 11 are launched during the 6th launch of Nuri next year, a swarm operation system for 10 mass-produced satellites will be established.

Then, the Korean Peninsula can be filmed more than three times a day, and if an emergency such as a disaster occurs, the same spot can be filmed again within 24 hours.

Based on the operation of 10 constellation satellites, it is expected that it will be possible to acquire large-capacity images of approximately 700,000 ㎢ per day, which is more than three times the area of ​​the Korean Peninsula.

In addition, it is expected that it will be able to create a variety of services by filling the gap in the time zone that existing surveillance and reconnaissance satellites such as multi-purpose satellites cannot capture, and providing semi-real-time observation of the Korean Peninsula.

Micro-swarm satellites have been developed as satellites that are not restricted by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and can be launched using domestically produced launch vehicles. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Satellite Research Institute oversees the project, and production is handled by Satrec Eye [099320].

◇ 2-3 years to produce one satellite → 2 months… Accelerating ‘New Space’ with mass production system

In this project, the satellite production time was significantly shortened by establishing a mass production system to repeatedly produce the same satellite.

Lee Sang-hyeon, head of the Micro Cluster Satellite Business Division, said, “Unlike the 2 to 3 years it takes to manufacture a single existing satellite, a mass-produced satellite can be manufactured in about 2 months per satellite.”

Satellite swarms are considered a representative example of the new space method as they can create new services by mass producing satellites at low cost and shortening the satellite contact cycle by covering the Earth's orbit with a large number of satellites.

Space