[On Site] Monitoring Air Pollution and Climate Change Eight Times a Day with Precision... Inside the 'Environment Satellite Center'

World's First Geostationary Environmental Satellite
Real-Time Acquisition of East Asia Regional Observation Data
Follow-Up Monitoring of Air Pollutants and Greenhouse Gases Planned

Dongwon Lee, Head of the Environmental Satellite Center at the Climate and Air Research Division of the National Institute of Environmental Research, is explaining the geostationary satellite environmental payload on the 26th. The environmental payload acquires information about the Earth's surface and atmosphere by measuring the radiation energy of ultraviolet and visible light reflected from the Earth. Photo by the Ministry of Environment Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Incheon=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] On the 26th, at the Environmental Satellite Center within the National Institute of Environmental Research in Seo-gu, Incheon, the world's first 'geostationary environmental satellite' is used to observe not only air pollutants but also 17 types of climate change-inducing substances.

A geostationary satellite refers to a satellite whose orbital period matches the Earth's rotation period, making it appear stationary when observed from the ground. South Korea launched the world's first geostationary environmental observation satellite 'GEMS' from the Guiana Space Centre in South America in February 2020.

The difference from low Earth orbit satellites used by about 10 countries worldwide, including the United States and Europe, lies in the observation range and frequency. Low Earth orbit satellites, typically orbiting 700 to 1500 km above the Earth and capable of observing the entire globe, can observe the Korean Peninsula once every 1 to 3 days. In contrast, geostationary satellites orbiting 36,000 km above can focus on East Asia eight times a day. By limiting the region and increasing observation frequency, real-time data on air pollutants and other substances can be secured.

The main observation items include aerosols (solid or liquid fine particles suspended in the atmosphere), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, ultraviolet rays, and 13 other types. Starting with eight types of air quality information in March last year, five additional types related to aerosols, including two types, have been publicly released since October of the same year. The Environmental Satellite Center primarily monitors air quality and researches climate change using the key output data observed. Last month, it also monitored air pollution caused by large-scale wildfires in the Gangwon and Gyeongbuk regions.

Information transmitted by GEMS is received through a large satellite receiving antenna installed on the roof of the center's 4th floor, and analyzed in the monitoring room to support air quality forecasting and evaluate transboundary air pollutants. It particularly overcomes the spatial limitations of existing ground measurement networks by measuring aerosol concentrations throughout the entire atmospheric layer, enabling estimation of fine dust concentrations in coastal and mountainous areas. GEMS observation data will be used as big data research material to solve air quality issues in the future. It is also used as air, health, and traffic volume indicator information by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Statistics Korea, and the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Large satellite receiving antenna installed on the rooftop of the 4th floor at the Environmental Satellite Center. Photo by Ministry of Environment Joint Press Corps

It is also actively used for monitoring climate change-inducing substances. The center analyzes long-term concentration trends by country and seeks causes and solutions for air quality deterioration through analyzing the interaction mechanisms between air quality and climate change. It also plays a role in supporting effective ozone reduction policies by providing ozone formation sensitivity.

Through international cooperation with the United States, the European Union (EU), and others preparing geostationary environmental satellites, efforts are being made to strengthen the credibility of our satellite data. The United States plans to launch TEMPO this year, and the EU plans to launch Sentinel-4 in 2024. Through an international joint air quality observation campaign based on environmental satellites, joint participation will occur from the Korean Peninsula to Asia, the United States, and Europe.

Joint utilization of observation data with Asian countries within the geostationary environmental satellite observation area is being promoted. This is to improve accuracy through comparative verification of national observation data. There is a plan to form the Pandora Asia Network cooperation system for monitoring air pollutants in the Asian region and to engage in real-time information exchange.

The Environmental Satellite Center is also pursuing the development of follow-up satellites. The mission life of the currently launched GEMS is 10 years. While currently mainly observing air pollutants, future satellites aim to simultaneously observe greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane to create a synergistic effect. The current project period plans to complete development by 2029 and launch in 2030. Once greenhouse gas observation becomes possible, concrete policy support for carbon neutrality is expected.

Dongwon Lee, head of the Environmental Satellite Center at the Climate and Air Research Division of the National Institute of Environmental Research, said, "If follow-up satellites do not observe greenhouse gases and air pollutants together, there is a risk of them becoming crippled satellites," adding, "Policy support is urgently needed to ensure greenhouse gas observation is included in follow-up satellites."

The information received from GEMS is monitored and analyzed in real-time at the monitoring room.