[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Hanwha Systems Accelerates 'Space Internet' Based on Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Urgent Need to Solve Transmission Capacity Shortage After Anasis Gunwi Satellite
Calls to Utilize Low Earth Orbit Satellite-Based Communication Systems

The first communication satellite in South Korea was Mugunghwa 1, launched in 1995. However, contrary to plans, the satellite's fuel was quickly depleted, leading to its decommissioning after just four years. Subsequently, Mugunghwa 2 was successfully launched in 1996, and in June of the same year, the South Korean military reorganized a satellite company under the ROK Armed Forces Command and Communication Command, establishing a communication network utilizing satellites centered around the 1st Document Storage (B1) and the 3rd Document Storage (U3). The document storage facilities serve as wartime command headquarters equipped with military command and control systems and computer networks capable of withstanding nuclear attacks. Every year, during the combined ROK-US command post exercises simulating a full-scale invasion by North Korea, the military leadership relocates to this location to command operations.

In August 2006, the military entered the full-fledged era of military satellite communications by successfully launching Mugunghwa 5, a satellite developed for both civilian and military use, into geostationary orbit. Later, on July 21, 2020, the military secured Anasis 2, a dedicated military communication satellite, establishing an independent military satellite communication system.

However, there are still many challenges ahead. Addressing issues such as insufficient transmission capacity is an urgent priority. This is why overseas deployed units rent commercial satellites like Iridium and Thuraya, and why the Army's 2nd Operations Command leased satellite frequencies from KT SAT in 2019 to establish a satellite communication system. The Marine Corps also leased commercial satellites to enhance satellite bandwidth and built the Multipurpose Marine Satellite Communication System (M2SAT) for amphibious force command posts.

Voices inside and outside the military call for the utilization of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based communication systems. Currently, LEO small satellites dominate worldwide. LEO satellite communication is a system that enables mobile communication anywhere in the world through satellites orbiting at altitudes between 160 and 2,000 km. The communication latency of LEO satellites is 0.025 seconds, significantly lower than the 0.5 seconds of geostationary satellite communication and the 0.07 seconds of undersea optical cables. This is because satellites move in low orbits close to the ground, resulting in shorter radio wave round-trip times and less signal loss.

The private sector is also actively investing in LEO small satellites. SpaceX in the United States has successfully launched 1,584 small satellites into a 550 km orbit and is already providing services. Canadian satellite communication company Telesat plans to launch 78 and 220 LEO satellites equipped with inter-satellite optical communication capabilities into polar and inclined orbits, respectively.

Among domestic companies, Hanwha Systems is moving swiftly. In July, it was selected as a 'non-facility-owning telecommunications carrier.' Although it does not build its own communication network, this designation signifies its intention to actively provide 'space internet' services by utilizing the British satellite internet company OneWeb's LEO communication network to offer ultra-high-speed internet. OneWeb is a space internet company providing satellite communication services such as ultra-high-speed internet through LEO small satellites.

Last October, after Russia refused to launch its satellites, OneWeb launched satellites using an Indian rocket. At that time, a total of 36 satellites reached their intended orbit. As of the end of May, OneWeb owns 634 satellites, enough to observe the entire world in real time. Financial difficulties were also resolved. In March 2020, OneWeb filed for bankruptcy due to financial troubles, but it was revived when Hanwha Systems invested $300 million (approximately 345 billion KRW at the time).

Hanwha Systems plans to be the first to build a military LEO satellite communication network through this. They are concretizing a blueprint to connect the entire battlefield by sharing real-time battlefield information detected by ultra-small SAR satellites via LEO satellite communication and ground networks. They also plan to enter the B2B communication service market usable on aircraft, ships, trains, vehicles, and urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles.

Hanwha Systems is also developing advanced digital communication repeaters (OBP) that enable direct communication between terminals without passing through ground stations, allowing large volumes of data to be processed quickly without delay, as well as inter-satellite laser communication systems (ISL). Hanwha Systems plans to participate in OneWeb's component manufacturing processes with partner companies during the second-generation (Gen2) phase when the currently launched LEO satellites become obsolete and are replaced.