Arirang-1
Arirang-1 or Arirang I, also known as KOMPSAT 1 (Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 1),[1] COSPAR 1999-070A, SATCAT 26032, was an unmanned artificial satellite created by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and launched by a US rocket on December 21, 1999. This was the first satellite built primarily by South Korean engineers, although previous foreign-built satellites had been launched by Korean companies. It carried a surveillance camera able to distinguish objects with a diameter of 6.6 meters. It took its name from the popular Korean folk song Arirang.
Arirang-1 | |
Hangul | 아리랑1호 |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | Arirang 1-ho |
McCune–Reischauer | Arirang 1-ho |
The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on a Taurus rocket. It had been built in Daedeok Science Town in Daejeon, South Korea. The parts were shipped in three stages from Korea to California by First Express International, a Korean shipping firm.[2]
The Arirang-1 was succeeded by the Arirang-2 in 2006. Additional satellites in the series were planned.
On January 6, 2008, the KARI reported that they had lost contact with the satellite.[3] It is suspected to have had a malfunction that has affected power generation. After the loss of contact with the satellite, the mission was formally ended 31 January 2008.[1]
References
- https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kompsat-1.htm
- "Company News". Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
- "Engadget". Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-06.