Company signs contract with Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute for space surveillance satellite and SSA system

As low-Earth orbit grows more crowded, proactive collision and reentry response becomes critical

Firm aims to build core SSA and SDA capabilities to bolster South Korea's space security

An artist's rendering of a space-based space surveillance satellite and its ground-linked space situational awareness system in operation. [Hanwha Systems]
An artist's rendering of a space-based space surveillance satellite and its ground-linked space situational awareness system in operation. [Hanwha Systems]

Hanwha Systems announced Friday that it signed a contract with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute on Sept. 9 for the development of a space-based space surveillance satellite and a ground-linked space situational awareness system, formally joining the national Space Situational Awareness system, known as K-SSA, as its private system developer.

The proliferation of low-Earth orbit satellites has heightened the risk of collisions with artificial and natural objects in orbit, making space situational awareness capabilities — including the ability to respond proactively to collision and reentry threats — increasingly vital to protecting national space assets.

The project is part of the K-SSA development initiative led by the Korea AeroSpace Administration. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute serves as the principal research institution, overseeing the program's overall technical direction.

As the private system developer for K-SSA, Hanwha Systems will develop the space-based surveillance satellite, build the ground-linked situational awareness infrastructure, and handle integration, linkage and verification across the system's subsystems.

The space surveillance satellite Hanwha Systems will develop is a microsatellite designed to operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 480 kilometers. Equipped with an optical camera for space situational awareness, it will detect and track artificial and natural objects in real time and collect the observational data needed to analyze collision and reentry risks.

The accompanying ground-linked space situational awareness system will serve as the terrestrial infrastructure for integrating and analyzing data on space objects gathered from the surveillance satellite and other observation sources. Applying AI technology, the system will precisely predict and analyze orbital trajectories and collision or reentry risks, and share information to support rapid situational assessment and response.

"Through this project, we will secure core technological competitiveness in space situational awareness and space domain awareness, and contribute to strengthening South Korea's independent space security and response capabilities," said Song Seong-chan, head of Hanwha Systems' space business division.


keg@heraldcorp.com