The Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) said on July 31 that it plans to add four more satellites to the list of nine satellites currently in operation. In the process, the government hopes to build up Korea's abilities to develop low-orbit satellites on its own, secure the capabilities to process and utilize data and images from satellites, and make inroads into the world's satellite imagery market.
In the first place, the government plans to make history by launching a small satellite weighing 100 kilograms on a Korean launch vehicle at the Goheung Space Center to be constructed in 2007. When this task is completed with successful results, then Korea will have entered a new stage of developing both satellites and launch vehicles with its own technologies.
After that, Arirang-5, mounted with an all-weather observation camera, will be launched in 2008 followed by Arirang-3 in 2009, with a surveillance camera able to distinguish objects with a diameter of less than 1 meter. In addition, the nation's first stationary satellite COMS-1, to be mounted with the world's first Geostationary Ocean Color Imager, will be launched in 2008.
The satellite Arirang-2, made primarily by Korean engineers, has successfully been launched. As a result, Korea has taken one step further into becoming a major player in aerospace industries. In contrast to Arirang-1 that can only distinguish objects with a size of 6.6 meters in length and width, Arirang-2 can identify objects with a size as small as one meter in length. Currently, there are only seven countries in the world possessing satellites with such high-resolution cameras.
KARI Focuses on Developing Key Satellite Technologies Since Korea first embarked on a satellite development project in earnest a decade or so ago, the country has made phenomenal progress. Korea has not only participated in the whole process of building the Arirang-2 satellite, from designing to assembly and testing, but has also developed core parts of the satellite's remote control system.
Against this background, the Korea IT Times conducted an interview with Paik Hong-yul, president of Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which orchestrated the Arirang-2 project. The following are excerpts from the interview:
Q: What went through your mind when you found out that the rocket had been successfully launched
When I watched the flames bursting at the tail of the rocket heading skywards, tears suddenly came to my eyes. Usually, eight out of 10 rockets are a success, while the rest end up in failure. In the circumstances we were in, a failure could have resulted in the suspension of the space project. So, we at the research team did everything we could on the technological side. However, I think the reason we could prevent the 20 percent chance of our program ending in failure can be attributed to the wholehearted wish by all our researchers.
Q: What was the most difficult task in developing the satellite
Developing the multi-spectral camera to be mounted on the satellite had been the most difficult job. We had to ask for assistance from abroad since we did not have this technology. The terms of cooperation were not met with the United States and France. Moreover, when we embarked on the development project jointly with Israel, there had been much controversy as to whether or not we should have pulled out our researchers due to the outbreak of the Iraq War in 2002. In the end, our researchers decided to stay and continued to work, even wearing gas masks from time to time.
Q: Can the satellite Arirang-2 be of use when a flood hits the nation
When heavy rain falls, it is of no use since it is impossible to take pictures through the clouds shielding the ground below. But, it will be of great assistance when rain stops and recovery efforts are under way. Since it can calculate the heights of the ground in addition to taking pictures, it can find out regions where the damage has been most severe and where the urgent recovery is needed.
Q: Please tell us about the Arirang-3 and 5 to be launched in the future.
The Arirang-5 will be launched first in 2008. There were plans to mount optical cameras on Arirangs 1, 2 and 3 that cannot take pictures in cloudy days or at nights. However, Arirang-5, which will be mounted with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), can take pictures under any conditions. When these pictures are combined with images from the optical camera mounted on Arirang-2, their uses will multiply. In contrast to Arirang-2 that takes pictures from a fixed angle, Arirang- 3 is currently being designed so that it can take pictures from different angles.
Q: What progress has been made with regard to the building of a space center on Woenaro Island in Goheung and the development of a rocket
My interest has now been shifted from Arirang-2 to KSLV-1 to be launched next year. KSLV-1 is the nation's first satellite launching vehicle to the space. In contrast to the science rocket KSR that simply was launched skywards soon to fall back to Earth again, KSLV-1 is intended to place a satellite in orbit in space. Currently, there are eight countries around the world capable of sending launch vehicles into space. If we succeed in launching a satellite vehicle next year, Korea will make its way into the group of less than 10 countries with space technology.
Q: Is there a special reason why Korea should have its own space technologies
Satellites are basically controlled by national governments. Even though there are commercial satellites, we cannot get the right images we want when the need arises at the national level. In the case of North Korea's recent launch of missiles, for example, we stayed far behind in obtaining the necessary information. Contracts stipulate that commercial satellite service may be stopped in times of national crises. In the case of the United States alone, the country had stopped the distribution of satellite images during the Iraq war in 2002.
Q: How important is the space development project
The space development project has three main goals. First, it is necessary as a national strategy. Second, it enhances the quality of life in a nation. Thirdly, it is a high-value-added industry as a source of income. When calculated in terms of weight, automobiles and computers are priced at US$30,000 and US$1 million per ton, respectively. In the case of a satellite, on the other hand, it is worth US$10 million per ton, almost equal to the price of gold with the same weight. In the past, we have satisfied our needs by purchasing satellites from advanced nations. In the future, however, Korea will become a country exporting satellites.
Q: In what field of the space industry does Korea have a competitive edge
If we are to compete with the United States and Russia, the industrialization of aerospace businesses in general won't play the magic. Rather, we have to benchmark Israel. By employing Blue Ocean technologies we can make and sell small high-performance satellites at the right prices. In addition, we should develop core technologies on our own and make satellites, rockets and airplanes that can compete with other nations. Only then can the industrialization be a success.
Q: Lastly, what message do you wish to send to the Korean people
There is always a 20 percent chance of failure in space development. Nevertheless, it is an industry we must promote. Even though we have succeeded in two previous challenges, we can fail in the future. If that happens, I hope that Korean people do not discourage the researchers in the forefront. It is necessary to have the support from the general public for us to make advances and become a strong power in space-related technologies. Like the motto of our research institute says, we will send "Korea into the sky, to the universe, and to the future."
저작권자 © Korea IT Times 무단전재 및 재배포 금지
