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More Precise Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 6 (GEO-KOMPSAT-6) to Continue the Lineage of the World's First Environmental and Ocean Satellites
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Date
2026.09.01.
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58
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More Precise Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 6 (GEO-KOMPSAT-6) to Continue the Lineage of the World's First Environmental and Ocean Satellites
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo), Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA; Administrator Oh Tae-seok), and Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment (MCEE; Minister Kim Seong-hwan) announced that the Geostationary Environment and Ocean Satellite (GEO-KOMPSAT-6) Development Project they planned jointly has passed the preliminary feasibility study for national research and development projects.
GEO-KOMPSAT-6 is a successor satellite that will take over the environmental and ocean observation missions of GEO-KOMPSAT-2B launched in 2020. Once the project is completed, it will be possible to secure the continuity of long-term observation of the ocean and atmospheric environment of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas.
With more observation channels and improved resolution, GEO-KOMPSAT-6 will be able to more accurately and comprehensively monitor harmful ultrafine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, the impacts of disasters such as wildfires on the atmospheric environment, and changes in the marine environment such as red tides, oil spills, and low-salinity water. It is expected to enable the faster identification of situations involving deteriorating air quality or marine disasters, and to support the response of the relevant agencies and public safety systematically.
Moreover, the project will localize geostationary satellite payloads that have previously relied heavily on foreign technology. Developing a hybrid propulsion system combining chemical and electric propulsion along with simultaneous observation technology for environmental and ocean payloads is expected to strengthen the foundation for technological independence in Korea's satellite business and entry into overseas markets.
Geo-Kompsat-6 is scheduled to be developed over the next seven years starting next year with a budget of approximately KRW 770 billion and launched in 2033. The three ministries will develop detailed project plans and move forward with follow-up procedures, including securing the necessary budget and selecting R&D institutions.
“More than 30 years of continuous ocean observations, from GEO-KOMPSAT-1 through GEO-KOMPSAT-6, will provide essential data for marine and fisheries policymaking and climate change response. With GEO-KOMPSAT-6, we will be able to track environmental changes in our seas more accurately and better support responses to marine disasters and safe activities at sea,” said Jang Myo-in, Director General of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency.
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-hee, Head of the Satellite Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, emphasized that GEO-KOMPSAT-6 is a core national space asset that continuously observes the marine and atmospheric environment—which is closely related to the lives of the people—and is also an important project that expands Korea’s geostationary satellite development capabilities. “We will enhance the competitiveness of the space industry by expanding the domestic development of core technologies through a transition to a full-scale private sector-led satellite development system,” he said.
“With the preliminary feasibility study now approved, we can build on the world-class experience gained from developing and operating GEO-KOMPSAT-2B with the more advanced GEO-KOMPSAT-6. More detailed and accurate observations will allow us to identify changes in the atmospheric environment more quickly and provide environmental information services that are more useful to the public,” said Seong Ji-won, Head of the Atmospheric Environment Research Department at MCEE’s National Institute of Environmental Research.
- Passing the preliminary feasibility study for the development of Geostationary Environment and Ocean Satellite (GEO-KOMPSAT-6)
【Related Policy Agendas】 44. Ensuring a Pleasant Environment for All
76. Unwavering Maritime Sovereignty, Safe and Clean Korean Seas
【Related Policy Agendas】 44. Ensuring a Pleasant Environment for All
76. Unwavering Maritime Sovereignty, Safe and Clean Korean Seas
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo), Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA; Administrator Oh Tae-seok), and Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment (MCEE; Minister Kim Seong-hwan) announced that the Geostationary Environment and Ocean Satellite (GEO-KOMPSAT-6) Development Project they planned jointly has passed the preliminary feasibility study for national research and development projects.
GEO-KOMPSAT-6 is a successor satellite that will take over the environmental and ocean observation missions of GEO-KOMPSAT-2B launched in 2020. Once the project is completed, it will be possible to secure the continuity of long-term observation of the ocean and atmospheric environment of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas.
With more observation channels and improved resolution, GEO-KOMPSAT-6 will be able to more accurately and comprehensively monitor harmful ultrafine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, the impacts of disasters such as wildfires on the atmospheric environment, and changes in the marine environment such as red tides, oil spills, and low-salinity water. It is expected to enable the faster identification of situations involving deteriorating air quality or marine disasters, and to support the response of the relevant agencies and public safety systematically.
Moreover, the project will localize geostationary satellite payloads that have previously relied heavily on foreign technology. Developing a hybrid propulsion system combining chemical and electric propulsion along with simultaneous observation technology for environmental and ocean payloads is expected to strengthen the foundation for technological independence in Korea's satellite business and entry into overseas markets.
Geo-Kompsat-6 is scheduled to be developed over the next seven years starting next year with a budget of approximately KRW 770 billion and launched in 2033. The three ministries will develop detailed project plans and move forward with follow-up procedures, including securing the necessary budget and selecting R&D institutions.
“More than 30 years of continuous ocean observations, from GEO-KOMPSAT-1 through GEO-KOMPSAT-6, will provide essential data for marine and fisheries policymaking and climate change response. With GEO-KOMPSAT-6, we will be able to track environmental changes in our seas more accurately and better support responses to marine disasters and safe activities at sea,” said Jang Myo-in, Director General of the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency.
Meanwhile, Kim Jin-hee, Head of the Satellite Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, emphasized that GEO-KOMPSAT-6 is a core national space asset that continuously observes the marine and atmospheric environment—which is closely related to the lives of the people—and is also an important project that expands Korea’s geostationary satellite development capabilities. “We will enhance the competitiveness of the space industry by expanding the domestic development of core technologies through a transition to a full-scale private sector-led satellite development system,” he said.
“With the preliminary feasibility study now approved, we can build on the world-class experience gained from developing and operating GEO-KOMPSAT-2B with the more advanced GEO-KOMPSAT-6. More detailed and accurate observations will allow us to identify changes in the atmospheric environment more quickly and provide environmental information services that are more useful to the public,” said Seong Ji-won, Head of the Atmospheric Environment Research Department at MCEE’s National Institute of Environmental Research.
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