한화시스템(대표이사 어성철)은 자체 개발·제작한 ‘소형 SAR 위성’이 성공적 발사에 이어 지상관제센터로 첫 위성 신호를 안정적으로 송출했다.

▲The 'small SAR satellite' developed and manufactured by Hanwha Systems was successfully launched at 2:00 PM sharp on the 4th in the sea south of Jeju Island. Afterwards, the small SAR satellite stably transmitted its first satellite signal to the ground control center at 15:45:40 PM.
Korean-style new space begins in earnest, using pure domestic technology
Full-scale development of high-resolution Earth observation satellite market begins
The country's first privately-led commercial Earth observation satellite developed using 'purely domestic technology' has successfully launched.
Hanwha Systems (CEO Sung-chul Eo) announced that it successfully launched its own developed and manufactured ‘small SAR satellite’ in the sea south of Jeju Island at 2:00 PM on the 4th.
It also reported that the first satellite signal was stably transmitted to the ground control center at 3:45:40 PM after settling into orbit.
SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a radar system that sequentially fires radar waves from the air to the ground and ocean, and then synthesizes the minute time differences between the radar waves reflecting off curved surfaces and returning to create a topographic map of the ground. Because it is possible to obtain image information day and night and in bad weather, it is widely used in energy exploration, resource monitoring, disaster and catastrophe surveillance, climate and environmental surveillance, construction and infrastructure, security, and conflict zones.
The launch of Hanwha Systems' 'small SAR satellite' has proven the domestic technological prowess in the satellite manufacturing and launching sectors, which had been highly dependent on overseas countries. It is also significant in that it is the first domestically produced product in a field where space powers had controlled overseas exports in order to maintain technological hegemony.
The launch vehicle was created based on solid launch vehicle and orbital entry technology previously developed by the government, and this achievement was achieved by combining government technical support and the technical capabilities of private companies.
Hanwha Systems plans to create various added values by utilizing small SAR satellites for B2G (business-to-government) and B2B (business-to-business) purposes: △environmental monitoring through high-resolution satellite image analysis; △data analysis for GIS (Geographic Information System) map production; and △automatic fusion and analysis of satellite image information.
The small SAR satellite developed by Hanwha Systems is different from general satellites in that the payload, main body, and solar panel are integrated. It is designed to integrate multiple warheads into one and load as many as possible onto a launch vehicle, which is expected to significantly reduce launch costs.
Sung-chul Oh, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, “I would be more than grateful if the space industry technology developed and accumulated with the people’s taxes can be utilized for the convenience and safety of the people through the challenges of private companies,” and added, “Hanwha Systems will expand its business areas to include private-sector-led satellite development, manufacturing, launch, control, and service, and grow into a representative satellite company of the K-space industry.”
Meanwhile, this Jeju sea launch was made possible through cooperation to foster Jeju's space industry ecosystem through the 'Jeju Private Space Industry Promotion MOU' signed between Hanwha Systems and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in July. In particular, Hanwha Systems plans to further strengthen cooperation by establishing the 'Hanwha Space Center', a satellite development and manufacturing facility, in Jeju.