Kitsat-1
KITSAT-1 or KITSAT A is the first satellite to be launched by the Republic of Korea. Once launched, the satellite was given the nickname "Our Star" (우리별).
 Artist rendering of Kitsat-1 | |
| Names | Uribyol-1 Kitsat-OSCAR-23 KO-23 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology Demonstration |
| Operator | Korean Institute of Technology (KIT) |
| COSPAR ID | 1992-052B |
| SATCAT no. | 22077 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | SSTL-70 |
| Manufacturer | SSTL |
| Launch mass | 48.6 kg |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | August 10, 1992 (UTC) |
| Rocket | Ariane-4 |
| Launch site | Kourou, French Guyana |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
Launched in 1992, KITSAT-1, which stands for the Korea Institute of Technology Satellite-1, is the first satellite developed by SaTReC. Developed through a collaborative program between SaTReC and the University of Surrey, the main objective of the KITSAT-1 program was to acquire satellite technology through the training and education of satellite engineers.[1]
The success of the KITSAT-1 program marked the beginning of space technology development for South Korea.[2]
Placed into orbit on August 10, 1992, and launched from Guiana Space Centre, its launch weight was 48.6 kg, and it measured 35.2 X 35.6 X 67 cm. The console of the University of Surrey UoSAT-5 satellite was used.
KITSAT-1 was launched on an Ariane 4 rocket along with NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon satellite and France's S80/T satellite .
South Korea became the 22nd country to operate a satellite.
Gallery
The Ariane 4 rocket, with TOPEX/Poseidon and KITSAT-1 on board.
References
- "KITSAT-1 mission page from SSTL". SSTL. Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- "(SaRTec) Satellite Technology Research Lab". SaRTec. Retrieved 2016-12-26.