Jinju City Council Supports Jinju's Leap Toward Becoming a Space and Aviation Hub

Ultra-small Satellite JINJUSat-1B
Three-month Earth Observation Mission

Jinju City Council in Gyeongnam announced on the 20th that it congratulates Jinju City for being the first local government in the country to successfully place an artificial satellite into orbit, and expressed its support for the city's future leap as a hub of the aerospace industry.

On this day, the Jinju City Council conveyed its congratulations to both Jinju City and its citizens after confirming successful communication with the 2U-class ultra-small satellite JinjuSat-1B, which was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, on the 15th (local time on the 14th), and subsequently verifying its entry into Earth's orbit. The council stated, "Korea has taken its first significant step toward becoming a global aerospace city."

Photo of JINJUSat, a 2U-class nanosatellite launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, by the Jinju City Council.

Jinju City has shaken off the disappointment of the failed launch of its first ultra-small satellite JinjuSat-1 in 2023 and, after a two-year reattempt, has finally become the first local government to make its mark in space exploration. Over the next three months, the satellite will carry out its mission of photographing the seas near Gyeongnam with its three cameras.

The city council stated, "We are very pleased with the results of the ultra-small satellite development project, a collaboration between Jinju City, KTL, and Gyeongsang National University," and added, "We expect this to serve as a cornerstone for nurturing professional talent and for Jinju City to grow as a pillar of the space industry as it advances as an aerospace city."

The council also requested, "With this success as a foundation, please further strengthen the city's capabilities to foster the necessary conditions for the active development of the satellite utilization (downstream) industry," and promised, "Jinju City Council will join citizens in supporting not only the development of the planned 6U-class satellite 'JinjuSat-2' but also the long-term cultivation of future talent for the space industry."

Baek Seunghung, Chairperson of Jinju City Council, said, "Jinju City has once again demonstrated its potential to grow into a global aerospace city beyond Korea," and added, "We deeply appreciate the hard work of everyone involved and promise to continue active support through careful and innovative policy initiatives."