KOMPSat 3 (Arirang 3)

Spacecraft nr:

South Korean spacecraft nr: 15

Launch data: Designation  38338 / 12025B Launch date  17 May 2012 - 16:39 UT Launch site  Tanegashima, YLP-2 Launch vehicle  H-2A-202 Mission  Gov/Comm: Earth Observation, Imaging LEO Sun-synchronous Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  665 x 678 km Eccentricity  9,23E-04 Inclination  98.18 deg Period  98.18 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• KOMPSat 3 (Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 3) is a lightweight Earth observation satellite developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI. It will be similar to the KOMPSat 2 spacecraft and is scheduled to be launched in 2012. The optical component is being developed by Astrium.
• The mission objectives for Kompsat 3 are to meet the needs for high-resolution EO (Electro-Optical) images required for GIS (Geographical Information Systems), and other environmental, agricultural and oceanographic monitoring applications. The high resolution imaging satellite carries a camera that will resolve objects as small as 70 centimeters, or 2.3 feet, on Earth's surface. The satellite will operate at an altitude of 685 km in a sun-synchronous orbit and has an expected lifespan of 4 years.
• Support Geographical Information Systems, environmental, agricultural and oceanographic monitoring. There may also be a miltary/strategic imaging role.

Mission details:

• Was planned to launched in Feb 2012, delayed to May.
• Arirang-3 (Kompsat-3) was launched by H-IIA flight F21 from Tanegashima on May 17, 2012 into a 1:30am local time sun-synchronous orbit at 670 x 674 km x 98.2 deg.