'Ganadara Satellite Constellation' for Space Weather Observation Launches

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Four nano satellites for space weather observation will be launched into space simultaneously in June next year. These satellites, the world's first capable of formation flying, will venture into space to observe the near-Earth space environment more precisely. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute announced the launch plan for the SNIPE (Small scale magNetosphere and Ionosphere Plasma Experiment) satellites on the 6th.

The SNIPE satellites, which will be launched into space aboard Russia's Soyuz-2 in June next year, are the world's first satellites equipped with 'formation flying' capability. Four nano satellites (Garam, Narae, Dasol, Raon) will be launched simultaneously, allowing adjustment of the distances between each satellite to enable formation or line flying.

Through formation flying, these satellites can simultaneously observe the fine distribution and spatiotemporal changes of space plasma, which are difficult to observe with a single satellite. The United States, Japan, and Europe have also launched near-Earth space environment observation satellites with similar missions to SNIPE, targeting altitudes above 100 km where Earth's magnetic field influences. However, most of these perform only macroscopic observations.

The SNIPE satellites have completed detailed design of both the main body and payload and are currently developing flight models. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is responsible for the payload, scientific missions, and operations, while the Korea Aerospace Research Institute is in charge of developing the satellite main body. Additionally, six domestic startups are participating in manufacturing and supplying parts, contributing to the localization of space components.

Jaejin Lee, Principal Researcher at the Space Science Division of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, said, "99% of the matter constituting space exists in a plasma state, but the mechanism generating the fine structure of plasma distribution around Earth has not yet been revealed," and added, "We hope that SNIPE will successfully uncover the secrets of space plasma near an altitude of 500 km."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute will start an event from the 7th to engrave applicants' names on the SNIPE satellites. Applications can be submitted on the SNIPE page of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute's website until July 20.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.