Satellite steering system unveiled
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Hanwha Group say they have developed a Korean-made satellite positioning system for Korea’s next satellite, named Arirang 2. The propulsion system changes the satellite’s position in orbit for taking photographs or to align the satellite’s antennas toward the earth control station. The system consists of rocket engines, fuel tanks and the valves and piping to interconnect the parts. The institute said Korea is the eighth country in the world to develop such a system. Korea’s last satellite, launched in December 1999, relied heavily on a propulsion system made by TRW, a U.S. defense and aerospace firm. The institute and Hanwha Group said they spend 7.6 billion won ($6.5 million) during the past four years to design and build the indigenous system. The next Korean satellite, scheduled to be launched in November 2004, will carry cameras able to resolve earthly objects as small as 1 meter (yard). An official of the institute said the development of the indigenous propulsion system for satellites would lead to an ability to design specialty satellites here as well, and would give Korea an entry to international markets. by Shim Jae-woo
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)