Overview
- Vega C flight VV28 lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre at 2:21 p.m. local time, with KOMPSAT-7 deploying into sun-synchronous orbit 44 minutes after launch.
- KARI confirmed first contact via Russia’s Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. Korean time and verified orbital insertion using Arianespace data.
- Developed by KARI, the satellite carries an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor with a significantly faster onboard computer for real-time data handling.
- A control moment gyroscope boosts pointing agility to support environmental and disaster monitoring as well as urban heat island analysis for government users.
- Arianespace framed the mission as backing South Korea’s national space program, with additional launches planned, including Arirang 6 on Vega C.