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KASA unveils images from its newest high-res eyes in the skies

Published: 17 Mar. 2026, 18:26 Updated: 17 Mar. 2026, 18:40

Images of Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul captured by Arirang 3, left, and Arirang 7, Korea’s homegrown multipurpose satellites, released by the Korea AeroSpace Administration on March 17. [KOREA AEROSPACE ADMINISTRATION]

Korea showed off its latest technological advancement in space imaging with high-resolution satellite images taken in southern Seoul.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) unveiled initial images of Jamsil Olympic Stadium and early operational results from Arirang 7, Korea’s multipurpose satellite, and the Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3, also known as CAS500-3.

The Arirang 7 is a high-resolution optical Earth observation satellite developed to enhance capabilities in monitoring land, resources and disasters. It was launched in December last year aboard a VEGA-C rocket from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

Test images released from the satellite’s early operation phase included detailed views of Jamsil Olympic Stadium and Lotte Tower in southern Seoul.

In the released images, the satellite demonstrated ultra-high-resolution performance of under 0.3 meters (0.9 feet) — a level that allows identification of individual vehicle types on the ground.

The satellite is expected to play a key role in monitoring disasters such as wildfires in the future, KASA said.

A view of Lotte Tower in southern Seoul captured by the Arirang 7, Korea’s multipurpose satellite, is seen in this photo released by the Korea AeroSpace Administration on March 17. [KOREA AEROSPACE ADMINISTRATION]

The Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3 was developed under a model in which a private space company led development with support from the government and research institutions. It carries a payload designed to function as a comprehensive space laboratory for scientific research.

New data released included high-resolution aurora observations from the Republic Of Korea Imaging Test System (Rokits), operated by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and measurements of space plasma and magnetic fields from KAIST’s Ionospheric Anomaly Monitoring by Magnetometer and Plasmaprobe (Iammap) instrument.

An aurora imagery captured by the Republic Of Korea Imaging Test System (Rokits) aboard the Next-Generation Medium Satellite-3 on Feb. 14, is seen in this photo released by the Korea AeroSpace Administration on March 17. [KOREA AEROSPACE ADMINISTRATION]

In particular, Rokits captured aurora imagery during a geomagnetic storm on Feb. 14.

KASA plans to transition both satellites into full operational status after completing initial calibration processes to improve data accuracy.

“The successful launch and early operation of these two satellites show Korea has secured world-class Earth observation capabilities and mark a turning point toward a private sector-led space industry ecosystem,” KASA said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHANG YOON-SEO [[email protected]]