[K-SCIENCE] Chollian-2A Satellite

Wrapped with a gilt insulation material, Chollian-2A, South Korea's new geostationary satellite, is now ready to be launched after seven years of development period.

Developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the Chollian-2A satellite will orbit Earth at an altitude of about 36,000 kilometers and concentrate on meteorological observations of the Korean Peninsula.

The satellite, that cost over 325 billion won, or 293 million U.S. dollars, to build, can produce and transmit images with four times higher resolution than its predecessor. It will also deliver the data 18 times faster, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The satellite will also enable the Korean Peninsula to prepare for and cope with torrential downpours.

[Choi Jae-Dong, researcher, KARI]
"It (the satellite) is capable of taking photos of a typhoon's track every two minutes so that the track can be observed on a real-time basis."

Chollian-2B, the twin satellite of Chollian-2A, is expected to be launched into space next year.

The two satellites together will collect information related to air pollution by monitoring the levels of fine dust particles as well as yellow dust.

Chollian-2A is set to be launched into space in December on an Ariane 5 rocket made by Frace's Arianespace, the world's leading satellite launch company.