Korea's Arirang 7 multipurpose satellite has successfully communicated with a ground station after launching from a space center in South America. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute confirmed contact with Russia's Antarctic station. The satellite will provide high-resolution imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring.
Arirang 7, also known as the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7, lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana aboard the Vega-C rocket operated by France-based Arianespace at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday Korean time, equivalent to 2:21 p.m. Monday French Guiana time. The satellite was deployed 44 minutes after launch and made first contact with Russia's Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. Korean time.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) verified the successful orbital insertion through data from Arianespace. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) plans to announce the final results of the satellite deployment later in the day. Equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, Arirang 7 is expected to provide high-quality imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring, as well as urban heat island analysis. It will begin transmitting observation data in the first half of 2026 after completing test operations.
"Arirang 7 will help Korea further advance the precise Earth observation capabilities that we have independently developed," said Lee Sang-cheol, president of KARI. "Once Arirang 7 enters full operation, it will provide swift and accurate information through enhanced domestic image-collection capabilities for disaster monitoring and land management."
The launch comes about a week after Korea sent the Nuri rocket into space with 13 satellites on board. KASA expects these recent achievements to accelerate the country's satellite development projects. The Arirang 6 satellite is scheduled to launch aboard Vega-C next year, and preparations are underway for two next-generation midsized satellites.
"We will now actively support the transfer of these mature satellite development capabilities to the private sector, enabling them to become a driving force for Korea's space economy," said Yoon Young-bin, head of KASA.