Gyeonggi Province has successfully launched its climate satellite, the first of its kind to be initiated by a local government. The province announced on the 30th that the ‘Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 1’ (GYEONGGISat-1) was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, at 3:44 a.m. on the 29th.
The satellite completed separation from the first-stage rocket and the fairing (satellite protective cover), and successfully separated from the Falcon 9 rocket to reach its designated orbit 56 minutes later, at 4:40 a.m.
Originally scheduled for launch on the 20th, the Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 1 launch was postponed multiple times to the 21st, 27th, and finally the 29th due to local conditions in the United States.
The Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 1 is an optical satellite, a miniature satellite weighing approximately 25 kg and measuring 16U in CubeSat standards. It is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral payload and a high-speed data processing device, allowing it to observe precise data based on visible and near-infrared wavelengths.
The satellite, orbiting approximately 500 km above the Earth’s surface, will cover an area of 14×40 km per pass over the Gyeonggi region. It will monitor the impact of natural disasters such as floods and wildfires, as well as changes in vegetation and land cover. The satellite is powered by solar panels and will carry out its mission for three years, after which a decision will be made regarding its decommissioning or extended operation.
The high-precision data obtained will be used for accurate monitoring of land use status, swift verification of disaster damage and recovery, and surveillance of illegal forest and land damage.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, “The Gyeonggi Climate Satellite 1 has successfully settled into its orbital path. Starting with the first one, we plan to launch the second and third satellites next year. The data collected by these satellites will not only provide a scientific response to the climate crisis but also mark a significant turning point in fostering the climate tech industry.”