Setrec Eye, Korea's First Mass-Produced Satellite Launch 'Milestone'

Setrec Eye, a satellite system development and export company led by CEO Kim I-eul, announced on the 24th that the country's first mass-produced satellite, the 'Microsatellite Constellation No. 1,' has successfully reached its mission orbit. This satellite was completed through industry-academia-research cooperation led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Satellite Research Center, Setrec Eye, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

Setrec Eye researchers taking a commemorative photo after preparing to launch the 'Microsatellite Cluster No. 1'. Photo by Setrec Eye

The 'Microsatellite Constellation No. 1' is the first satellite to be mass-produced domestically. Through this launch, Setrec Eye has once again proven its competitiveness in the small and medium-sized Earth observation satellite sector.

The Setrec Eye research team, which played a key role in the development and manufacturing of the satellite, is currently focusing on initial operations to commence the mission of the 'Microsatellite Constellation No. 1.'

The 'Microsatellite Constellation No. 1' is a 100kg-class optical satellite that generates black-and-white images with 1m resolution and color images with 4m resolution at an altitude of approximately 500km. Starting with the launch of the first satellite, 10 additional satellites of the same specifications will be produced and launched. The goal is to form a constellation of 11 satellites to conduct high-frequency, precise observation of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas, establishing a rapid and accurate response system for national security and disaster management.

Setrec Eye is expanding its business area into the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) field by jointly producing the recently successfully launched 'Microscale SAR Satellite' with Hanwha Systems, moving beyond its traditional focus on optical observation satellites.

Kim I-eul, CEO of Setrec Eye, stated, "The development and production of the 'Microsatellite Constellation' is an exemplary model of desirable industry-academia-research cooperation. We hope this launch will elevate the level of South Korea's space industrialization and serve as a catalyst to activate cooperation among industry, academia, and research in space development." Setrec Eye is committed to ensuring the smooth production of the following 10 satellites.

Setrec Eye was founded in 1999 by key personnel who developed South Korea's first satellite, UriByul No. 1. The company exported the country's first complete satellite product to Malaysia in 2005 and has participated in more than 30 domestic and international projects to date.