South Korea has approved the development of Cheonlian Satellite 6, a geostationary environmental and ocean observation satellite scheduled for launch in 2033.
The project, jointly planned by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea AeroSpace Administration and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, has passed the country’s preliminary feasibility study.
Cheonlian Satellite 6 will succeed Cheonlian Satellite 2B, launched in 2020, continuing its environmental and ocean observation missions over the Korean Peninsula and surrounding regions.
The satellite will have expanded observation channels and improved resolution to monitor marine environmental changes including red tides, oil spills and low-salinity water.
It will also monitor atmospheric conditions associated with ultrafine dust, ground-level ozone and forest fires.
The seven-year development project is due to begin next year, with a budget of approximately KRW770 billion (approx. US$555m). The programme will also develop a domestically produced hybrid propulsion system combining chemical and electric propulsion, together with technology for simultaneous observation by environmental and oceanic payloads.
“Extensive, long-term continuous ocean observations spanning over 30 years from Cheonlian Satellite 1 to 6 will serve as key data for ocean and fisheries policy decisions and climate change response,” said Jang Myo-In, Director General of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (translated from Korean).
