KIOST and Navy Operations Command Sign MOU to Strengthen National Maritime Power

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, Director Lee Heeseung) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Navy Operations Command (Lieutenant General Hwang Seonwoo) on June 30 at KIOST in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, to contribute to strengthening national maritime power through the use of marine satellite technology.

(From left) Navy Operations Command Lieutenant General Hwang Seonwoo, KIOST Director Lee Heeseung. Provided by KIOST

KIOST, which operates and utilizes the Cheollian satellite payload, has produced satellite data for scientific diagnosis of changes in the marine environment caused by climate change. This has been achieved by improving the accuracy of outputs and developing utilization technologies for Cheollian Satellite 2B (GOCI-II), which was launched in February 2020, following Cheollian Satellite 1 (GOCI), the world's first geostationary marine satellite.

Cheollian Satellite 2B (GOCI-II) observes the Earth 10 times a day. It is equipped with 13 visible to near-infrared spectral bands, has a spatial resolution of 250 meters, and produces 26 types of marine, atmospheric, and terrestrial outputs.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the two organizations plan to cooperate in the following areas: ▲collaboration on the use of marine observation satellites and research support for the advancement of Navy space operations; ▲establishment of a system for sharing marine observation satellite analysis data; ▲academic exchange and technical and policy consultation to promote the development of the marine and space sectors; and ▲joint research and cooperation for space-based marine environmental monitoring.

KIOST Director Lee Heeseung stated, "With the signing of this memorandum of understanding, I hope that the expertise KIOST has accumulated in producing marine satellite data and developing satellite utilization technologies, combined with the operational capabilities of the Navy Operations Command, will lay the foundation for military-research cooperation and greatly contribute to strengthening national maritime power."