Growing Interest in Chosun University-Developed 'Nuriho-Equipped Cube Satellite'

The Only Regional University Participating in the Project... First Launch of 4th Satellite on 29th

Developed by Professor Oh Hyun-woong's Team... Observing Temperature Changes and Eruption Signs of Baekdusan Cheonji

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] With the successful launch of Nuriho, Korea's first domestically developed launch vehicle, attention is focused on Chosun University's Cube Satellite 'STEP Cube Lab-II,' the only regional university participating in the Cube Satellite project.

With this successful Nuriho launch, Korea became the seventh space power in the world to launch a space launch vehicle using its own technology. In this process, Chosun University shared the historic moment of the first successful space flight by carrying a Cube Satellite.

According to Chosun University on the 22nd, the Cube Satellite STEP Cube Lab-II will be the first to be deployed on the 29th, one week after the performance verification satellite carrying four Cube Satellites stabilizes normally.

Once the Cube Satellite settles into orbit, the first communication will be conducted through the ground receiving station installed at Chosun University.

The development of Chosun University's 'STEP Cube Lab-II' Cube Satellite began in September 2019 through the 'Cube Satellite Competition' hosted by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The team led by Professor Oh Hyun-woong (Department of Smart Mobile Convergence Systems Engineering), which was finally selected in the 'technology verification' category, developed the Cube Satellite 'STEP Cube Lab' in 2017 and subsequently developed another Cube Satellite 'STEP Cube Lab-II' carried on Nuriho.

'STEP Cube Lab-II (Cube Laboratory for Space Technology Experimental Project-II)' is a 6U (10×20×30cm) standard Cube Satellite.

The main mission is to perform multi-band observations in optical, mid-infrared, and long-infrared wavelengths of terrestrial phenomena such as the heat island effect and signs of eruption from Baekdusan, which has recently raised concerns about explosion risks.

Additionally, imaging sensors and onboard data processing units developed by domestic companies such as Hanwha Systems, Soltop, Edeltech, and VIEWORKS, as well as new solar panel technologies developed by the Chosun University research team, are equipped on the satellite.

Conducting technology verification through orbital operation is set as a secondary mission objective.

If the performance verification satellite successfully deploys 'STEP Cube Lab-II' and enables the provision of eruption sign data through observation of Baekdusan Cheonji temperature, it is expected to contribute significantly in scientific, technological, and educational aspects.

In particular, as the only regional university participating in this project alongside Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and KAIST, Chosun University's 'STEP Cube Lab-II' is expected to greatly enhance the competitiveness of regional universities.

Professor Oh Hyun-woong said, “While I am pleased with the successful launch of Nuriho, the deployment of Cube Satellites from the performance verification satellite remains, making this a more tense phase. One week from now, our university's Cube Satellite STEP Cube Lab-II will be the first to be deployed, and there is considerable pressure regarding its success.”

He added, “I hope that Chosun University's Cube Satellite will get off to a good start, that the remaining three satellites will also be safely deployed, and that the mission will be successfully accomplished, bearing the fruits of the research team's efforts.”

PhD candidate Son Min-young, who participated in the research, said, “I was very happy when I was informed that the performance verification satellite was safely deployed about ten minutes after the Nuriho launch. Although we will know the success of the satellite developed by our research team in about a week, we look forward to good results given the hard work of many researchers.”