Strengthening Collaboration to Advance Maritime Domain Awareness
Assessing the Effectiveness of Satellite Utilization
The Space Agency, the Korea Coast Guard, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute have come together to explore efficient operation and utilization strategies for ultra-small satellite systems. Collaboration in satellite utilization is gaining momentum to strengthen maritime surveillance and disaster and emergency response capabilities.
The Space Agency announced that, together with the Coast Guard and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, it co-hosted the "4th Workshop on the Operation and Utilization of Ultra-Small Satellite Systems" for two days starting December 15. The workshop was organized to share information and discuss cooperation measures for the successful establishment of the ultra-small satellite system currently under development and to enhance its future utilization.
The nation's first mass-produced ultra-small Earth observation satellite. Provided by the Space Agency
To date, the Space Agency and the Coast Guard have been jointly pursuing the development of an ultra-small satellite system through inter-agency cooperation, aiming to establish a maritime domain awareness (MDA) system that can monitor and respond to Korea’s vast maritime areas quickly and precisely. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is responsible for developing the utilization system for the integration and analysis of satellite data, which is a core task of the project.
Marking its fourth year, this workshop was attended by approximately 100 participants, including representatives from government ministries and research institutes that will operate the satellites in the future, as well as experts in satellite development, operation, and research. They discussed practical measures to expand satellite utilization.
During the workshop, participants shared progress on the development of the ultra-small satellite system's ground segment and utilization system projects. Experts also gave presentations on the latest technological trends and potential applications, including radar (SAR) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) payloads, AI-based multi-satellite monitoring, and marine remote sensing analysis technologies.
Yeo Seongsu, Director of the Maritime Security Bureau at the Korea Coast Guard, stated, "Satellites are a core surveillance asset for establishing a maritime domain awareness system," emphasizing that "close cooperation between operating agencies and research institutes is essential from the development stage." Kim Jinhee, Director of the Satellite Division at the Space Agency, said, "Through discussions on the operation and utilization of ultra-small satellite systems, we will actively support the use of satellites to ensure public safety, such as rapid response to disasters and emergencies." She added, "We also hope to contribute to fostering the space industry by securing core space technologies and providing opportunities for domestic launch vehicles."
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