Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Science and ICT, and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries unveiled the marine observation imagery shot by the geostationary orbit complex satellite 2B (hereinafter referred to as Chollian Satellite 2B, 3.4 ton).

Successfully launched on February 19th, Chollian Satellite 2B entered into the geostationary orbit on March 6th. The test run has ed the satellite’s main body and payload to be fully operational.

The test run of marine payload of Chollian Satellite 2B was conducted twice on March 23rd and on April 21st / 22nd. The first marine observation caught highly clear imagery of Korea and the sea surrounding North East Asia before correction.

With the spatial resolution that is 4 times as clear as Chollian Satellite 1 (500 meters to 250 meters), Chollian Satellite 2B is capable of providing varied maritime monitoring information on port, coastal facilities, changes in costal water quality, and oil leakage incidences which were difficult to discern with existing imagery.

Comparing the imagery sent by Chollian Satellite 2B with those by Chollian Satellite 1 clearly demonstrates the enhanced performance. The enlarged imagery over the coastal area in Incheon clearly capture the mud flats and water quality on the West Coast. Incheon Bridge is also taken in an improved resolution than taken by Chollian Satellite 1.

In Saemangeum, Geum River and other rivers are captured clearly, thus making it possible to obtain more detailed information about the impact of fresh water of rivers on oceans.

Chollian Satellite 2B comes with 4 added observation band imagery for better and diverse maritime observation. Observation band refers to the color bandwidth specialized in maritime observation consisting of UV rays and near-infrared rays. The 380nm band imagery capture the spread of maritime pollutants and properties of air aerosol. The 510nm and 620nm band imagery show the concentration of marine chlorophyll and floating matters. The 709nm band imagery produce clearer information about oceans and vegetation information on land. 

Chollian Satellite 2B’s maritime payload will undergo fine tuning and correction process for optimization until KIOST launches the official operation in October this year. The satellite will be capable of achieving the intended purposes.

Environmental payload will also begin producing observational imagery by using hyperspectral information as planned.

The environmental payload is the world’s first hyperspectral device on the geostationary orbit. It requires longer time for test and verification compared to the maritime payload which was operated before.

Ministry of Environment plans to finish hyperspectral information correction and software optimization by May and begin producing and verifying observational information in June. The first imagery of air environment is expected to be available in mid-October.

Climate Atmosphere Research Director Kim Young-woo of National Institute of Environmental Research said “Chollian Satellite 2B has been operating without any issue according to schedule since March when it successfully entered into the geostationary orbit.”

“We will make sure that Chollian Satellite 2B’s maritime and atmospheric observation information will be of useful service for the general public,” he added.

Ministry of Science and ICT and other government agencies will develop online educational materials about Chollian Satellite 2B and offer them on websites www.edunet.net and www.kocw.net.