Hanwha Systems (CEO Sung-chul Eo) and KAIST Satellite Research Center (SaTRec) have joined hands to develop a high-resolution, ultra-small SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite with the goal of achieving the world's highest level of high-resolution observation technology.

On the 18th, Hanwha Systems signed an MOU with Satrec for cooperation in the ‘ultra-small SAR satellite business’ and began strengthening the technological edge of Hanwha Systems’ world-class ultra-small SAR satellite.

Through this collaboration, Hanwha Systems will begin developing a high-resolution, ultra-small SAR satellite by combining Satrec’s small satellite technology with its ultra-small SAR satellite payload and system integration technology.

Hanwha Systems and Satrec plan to establish an exclusive business development partnership and secure proprietary technology in the field of world-class high-resolution Earth observation satellites. In addition, Satrec's experience in launching small satellites into space several times will be utilized in the field of small satellite operation, such as ground station control and reception, as well as space certification.

The 'Ultra-small SAR satellite system development' project, which is scheduled to be promoted by multiple ministries including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Science and ICT, is a project to develop a high-resolution ultra-small SAR satellite and an operational ground station.

In the future, when ultra-small SAR satellites are put into operation, it will be possible to collect all-weather image information about the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas, thereby not only monitoring disasters due to abnormal climate but also establishing a military reconnaissance satellite system, which is expected to contribute to securing surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities necessary to respond to North Korea's military threats.

SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a radar system that sequentially fires radar waves from the air to the ground and the ocean, and synthesizes the minute time difference between the radar waves reflecting off curved surfaces and returning to create a topographic map of the ground. Since it uses radar, it can obtain image information day and night and even in bad weather.

Satrec is a research institute that has been carrying out everything from satellite design, production, control, and personnel training, and is the birthplace of Wooribyeol 1, which made Korea the 22nd country in the world to possess an artificial satellite in 1992.

Based on its development technology for EO-IR and multi-function radars mounted on weapon systems, Hanwha Systems is supplying medium- and large-sized satellite EO-IR payloads and SAR payloads that can monitor the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas. In particular, the company is developing the 'SAR sensor' and 'data link system', which are considered core technologies for SAR satellites, and is also participating in the development of electro-optical and infrared sensors using its own technology.

The ultra-small SAR satellite developed by Hanwha Systems is different from general satellites in that it is in the form of a thin rectangular parallelepiped in which the SAR payload, main body, and solar panel are integrated, allowing as many as possible to be loaded onto a single launch vehicle, maximizing the launch vehicle storage efficiency and reducing launch costs. The antenna, which is the core of the SAR, uses an ultra-light and high-efficiency active phased array antenna that utilizes a semiconductor transmit/receive module applied to cutting-edge radars such as AESA radar, and currently provides a high-resolution observation mode at the 1m level and a wide-area observation mode capable of acquiring wide images.

Kwon Se-jin, director of KAIST Satellite Technology Research Institute, said, “I am delighted to be able to develop the small satellite technology we have accumulated over the past 30 years together with Hanwha Systems, which is preparing for the NewSpace era. I hope that through this collaboration, we can lead a paradigm shift in South Korea’s space development and create new revenue streams for the future South Korean space industry.”

“Ultra-small SAR satellites are receiving a lot of attention and are recognized as highly valuable as surveillance and reconnaissance assets,” said Eosungchul Oh, CEO of Hanwha Systems. “Based on our capabilities in developing the first domestic ultra-small SAR satellite boasting a resolution of 1m or less and a weight of 100kg or less, Hanwha Systems will continue to strengthen our satellite R&D capabilities and strive to successfully domestically produce ultra-high-resolution ultra-small SAR satellites.”