Creating a Korean Satellite Information Big Data Utilization System

Ministry of Science and ICT to Invest 44 Billion Won Over 5 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 1st that it will promote a satellite information big data utilization support project to address social issues and support decision-making as the era of multi- and clustered national satellites arrives.

The goal is to enhance support functions for a wide range of users including industry, academia, research institutes, and government, strengthen connectivity with AI technologies, and support the use of satellite information in public and private sectors through diversification and value addition of satellite data. A total of 43.95 billion KRW will be invested over five years starting this year.

Currently, satellite information obtained from more than approximately 270 satellites worldwide is being commercially sold. The number of satellites is expected to increase to about 550 by 2030. As the service areas utilizing satellite information expand, the market size for satellite information value-added services is also continuously growing. It is projected to grow from 2.5 billion USD in 2020 to 5 billion USD by 2030.

To extract useful information for users from raw data obtained by satellites, the development of advanced technologies for utilization systems and satellite information processing is required.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to develop a Korean-style Analysis Ready Data (K-ARD) system to ensure interoperability between different satellite information and conduct research for more systematic satellite image quality management. While promoting diversification and value addition of national multi-satellite data (optical, radar, infrared), it plans to activate satellite information utilization through scientific image analysis and interpretation based on advanced technologies such as AI. Based on domestic industry demand, various service items using satellite information will be discovered, and solution development to realize these will be supported to promote industrial revitalization.

Kwon Hyun-jun, Director of the Large-scale Public Research Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “South Korea’s competitiveness in satellite development is considerably secured, having successfully developed various satellites such as multipurpose practical satellites, next-generation medium-sized satellites, and geostationary satellites. However, investment for satellite information utilization has been relatively limited so far.” He added, “By using this project as a starting point, we will actively support technology development for processing, analyzing, and utilizing satellite information, striving to create value from satellite information and promote national interests through the development of related industries.”

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