'Cheollian 2B' Opens Eyes... Begins Ocean Observation

Cheollian 2B Satellite Positioned at 36,000 km Altitude
Marine Observation Information Service Starts from the 5th
Air Quality Observation Service Including Fine Dust to Begin Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] On February 19, South Korea's geostationary satellite Cheollian 2B, launched from the Guiana Space Centre in South America, settled at an altitude of 36,000 km and began observing the marine environment of Northeast Asia. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 5th that it will provide standard marine imagery information services from Cheollian 2B.

Cheollian 2B Opens Its Eyes... Observing Marine Environment First

Cheollian 2B was launched into space to observe the marine and atmospheric environment around East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, moving at the same rotational speed as the Earth. After successfully completing an 8-month trial operation, it now provides standard marine imagery information through the National Oceanographic Research Institute's website.

Cheollian 2B is equipped with the latest marine payloads. Compared to the previous Cheollian 1 satellite, its spatial resolution has improved from 500m to 250m, and its temporal resolution has increased from 8 to 10 times per day. It also provides various marine information previously unobservable, such as sea fog and low-salinity water. The government plans to provide marine observation information through a separate communication network to local governments responding to marine disasters like red tides and oil spills, as well as to agencies supporting fishing activities requiring fishery exploration.

Starting next year, diverse marine information such as the wide-area distribution of marine debris and the migration routes of Sargassum horneri will be integrated into map-based services. In the future, satellite information services for responding to marine issues such as red tide and oil pollution detection will also be provided.

Observation of Northeast Asian Atmospheric Environment Including Fine Dust Begins

Lee Chang-yoon, Director of the Large Public Research Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "With the normal launch of Cheollian 2B’s marine satellite imagery service, South Korea has acquired advanced marine observation capabilities. We expect that Cheollian 2B’s marine satellite imagery will be appropriately utilized for marine pollution and waste dumping, fishery environment research, and will greatly contribute to the smooth marine activities of the public."

Meanwhile, Cheollian 2B is scheduled to release atmospheric environment observation satellite images for the first time this month. After undergoing a verification process, it will officially begin information services starting next year.

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