Hanwha Systems Begins Development of Satellite Imaging Device

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Hanwha Systems announced on the 2nd that it has begun the development of the 'Arirang Satellite 7A IR (Infrared) Imaging Device' worth approximately 12 billion KRW in collaboration with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

The satellite's IR imaging device observes the infrared spectrum of light wavelengths and is a key equipment that detects heat emitted from objects and visualizes it. While existing electro-optical (EO) equipment can perform precise observation up to the foot-level (Foot級: capable of identifying shoes), it had limitations for nighttime observation. In contrast, the IR imaging device can monitor steam and heat emission points 24 hours a day, even at night when identification with EO equipment is difficult.

The IR imaging device for the 'Arirang 7A' currently under development will further improve the world's top-level IR resolution to enhance detection and observation performance. Its performance will also be upgraded to maximize observation frequency of areas of interest in conjunction with 'Arirang 7.'

Through this, it is expected to enable acquisition of high-quality satellite images day and night in various fields such as ▲disaster prevention including forest fires, floods, and weather forecasting ▲national land management ▲urban heat island phenomenon analysis.

Hanwha Systems successfully domestically produced the IR imaging device for 'Arirang 3A,' launched in 2015, for the first time in Korea. Globally, this is the fourth successful development following the United States, France, and Germany.

Meanwhile, the Arirang satellites are high-resolution earth observation satellites developed to clearly observe border areas and oceans due to increasing observation demand on the Korean Peninsula. Starting with the launch of the first satellite in 1999, the seventh satellite is currently under development.

Kim Yeon-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems, stated, "Based on our independent development capability of satellite payloads, we have strengthened our unique position and competitiveness in the domestic space satellite sector," adding, "We will further expand our business areas in the space industry based on the defense sector and the recently acquired overseas satellite communication antenna business."

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