Korean satellite reaches orbit

South Korean authorities confirmed  that the country's first geostationary satellite, the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite-1 (COMS-1), successfully reached its desired orbit.

 

COMS-1, nicknamed the Chollian, is designed to monitor the atmosphere and ocean, while its position in the geostationary orbit also allows it to assist communications systems.

 

The multipurpose satellite was part of the payload of the European Ariane-5 rocket launched last month from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
 
According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the satellite reached its targeted position of east longitude 128.2 degrees on Monday, allowing it to circle the Earth at its fixed-orbit, which is approximately 36,000 kilometers above the equator, while maintaining 24-hour coverage of the Korean Peninsula.
 

The movement of the satellite is currently managed by EADS Astrium of France, which participated in designing it. The satellite will be taken over by Korean ground controllers managed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the Korean space agency, starting Saturday. KARI will collaborate with the Electronics Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) and the Korea Ocean Research Development Institute (KORDI) in operating the satellite and analyzing its data during a six-month test period, before COMS-1 officially goes to work in December.
 

The 355 billion won ($290 million) COMS-1 is Korea's 12th satellite fired into space, although only four of those previously launched are currently in operation.

 
The new satellite, which will have a lifespan of seven years, is geared to provide more sophisticated observations of the atmosphere and ocean, such as the measuring of the movement of tides, changes in sea temperatures and other environmental indicators.

 

Aside from its contribution to disaster management and technology, Korean officials also hope that COMS-1 will help ease one of the biggest frustrations in daily Korean life - hit-or-miss weather reports.

 

Korean officials also hope that the COMS-1 will enhance the accuracy of local weather forecasts. The satellite is programmed to send weather and oceanographic data every 15 minutes, with the gap reduced to eight to 10 minutes in urgent situations such as when a typhoon is approaching the country.
 

Currently, Korea's meteorological authorities rely on information provided by Japanese and American satellites, which provide updates every 30 minutes.