Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has announced successful operation of KOMPSAT-3 for one year since its launch on May 18, 2012.

For the first year of operation, the performance of KOMPSAT-3 was validated, and the worldwide commercial service was launched through Satrec Initiative, since April 1, 2013.KOMPSAT-3 is the first sub-meter satellite of Korea and developed by KARI as a successor of KOMPSAT-2 for VHR EO data continuity.

With KOMPSAT-3 program, KARI has achieved substantial technical improvements comparing previous programs in terms of resolution and agility.

KOMPSAT-3 can provide sub-meter images with various imaging modes including single pass stereo. It will continue to provide sub-meter imagery to domestic and international users for the applications of public safety, resource management, environmental monitoring, location-based services, intelligence and disaster monitoring.

The operation of KOMPSAT-3 has established a constellation of two VHR EO satellites with KOMPSAT-2. With the addition of data collection capacity of 300,000 km23, the total collection capacity of KOMPSAT constellation reaches 2M km2of KOMPSAT-5, which is planned in 2013, KOMPSAT constellation becomes a unique combination of optical and radar sensors.

KOMPSAT-3A with enhanced performance, which will be launched in 2014, and KOMPSAT-6 with SAR payload will guarantee the data continuity and strengthen the capability of KOMPSAT constellation.

Currently, the catalog of KOMPSAT-2 and KOMPSAT-3 imagery is available here.In honor of the one-year anniversary of the KOMPSAT-3 launch, Satrec Initiative releases sample data and offers promotional prices for KOMPSAT-3 imagery for user society to experience KOMPSAT-3 data. Promotional pricing is applicable to orders confirmed by Satrec Initiative until June 17 at 6:00 p.m. KST.

During the promotional period, KOMPSAT-3 imagery will be offered at the same price with KOMPSAT-2 imagery. Orders placed through resellers are also eligible. per day of KOMPSAT- per day. After the launch