• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.117-127
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• 2015

Recently, research and development on satellite payloads are being developed such as the optical sensor, SAR etc. Satellite image for earth observation is being utilized both domestically and abroad. Advanced satellite payload technology has led to the collection and analysis of satellite images relying on the optical sensor. Currently, related organizations such as RDA(the Rural Development Administration) are collectively collaborating to plan a national project to develop a medium-sized satellite based on Korea's domestic technology independently. This paper investigated the cases of the past research on application of satellite images for agriculture and analyzed the technical specifications for satellite payload in each area of such application. Based on the results of the past surveys and consultation studies among local experts in satellite image application, we analyzed the current trends, plans and applications of domestic and overseas R&D in satellite payloads for earth observation in agriculture, and proposed the appropriate technical specifications for developing a future medium-sized satellite for agriculture. The proposed specifications were then incorporated into a simulated satellite to examine its performance to observe the Korean farming areas. The authors anticipate that the findings of this paper will form a useful technical basis for providing the appropriate specifications for developing future medium-sized satellite payloads to be used in agriculture and forestry, and enabling the end users to efficiently utilize the satellite.

• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.104-109
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• 2016

A technology of GEO satellite communications starts from Koreasat program in Korea. Payload equipment of EQM Ku and Ka band transponders had been developed and space-qualified Ka band payload in COMS was successfully launched in June, 2010. For the purpose of military communications, Dehop-Rehop transponder was developed in Koreasat5 as ANASIS system and DAT(Digital Active Transponder) and DCAMP(Digital Channel AMPlifier) transponders are now under development. In this paper, from the study of military satellite communications trend, a direction of military communication satellite is suggested based on the current GEO SATCOM technologies in Korea. Considering the limit of frequency resources, a technology of battlefield adaptive transponder with medium capacity against high moveable jamming tactics would be efficient for the future military SATCOM system. Mid-sized military satellites with frequency hopping and mid-capacity transponders can be a solution of vitalizing the GEO satellite programs.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2023

Surveillance and reconnaissance intelligence in the space domain will become increasingly important in future battlefield environments. Moreover, to assimilate the military provocations and trends of hostile countries, imagery intelligence of the highest possible resolution is required. There are many methods for improving the resolution of optical satellites when observing the ground, such as designing satellite optical systems with a larger diameter and lowering the operating altitude. In this paper, we propose a method for improving ground observation resolution by using an optical system for a previously designed low orbit satellite and lowering the operating altitude of the satellite. When the altitude of a satellite is reduced in a circular orbit, a large amount of thrust fuel is required to maintain altitude because the satellite's altitude can decrease rapidly due to atmospheric drag. However, by using the critical inclination, which can fix the position of the perigee in an elliptical orbit to the observation area, the operating altitude of the satellite can be reduced using less fuel compared to a circular orbit. This method makes it possible to obtain a similar observational resolution of a medium-sized satellite with the same weight and volume as a small satellite. In addition, this method has the advantage of reducing development and launch costs to that of a small-sized satellite. As a result, we designed an elliptical orbit. The perigee of the orbit is 300 km, the apogee is 8,366.52 km, and the critical inclination is 116.56°. This orbit remains at its lowest altitude to the Korean peninsula constantly with much less orbit maintenance fuel compared to the 300 km circular orbit.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2018

For Earth observation, a small satellite camera has relatively weak structural stability compared to medium-sized satellite, resulting in misalignment of optical components due to severe launching and space environments. These alignment errors can deteriorate the optical performance of satellite cameras. In this study, we proposed a 3-axis focus mechanism to compensate misalignment in a small satellite camera. This mechanism consists of three piezo-electric actuators to perform x-axis and y-axis tilt with de-space compensation. Design requirements for the focus mechanism were derived from the design of the Schmidt-Cassegrain target optical system. To compensate the misalignment of the secondary mirror (M2), the focus mechanism was installed just behind the M2 to control the 3-axis movement of M2. In this case, flexure design with Box-Behnken test plan was used to minimize optical degradation due to wave front error. The wave front error was analyzed using ANSYS. The fabricated focus mechanism demonstrated excellent servo performance in experiments with PID servo control.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

In this paper, we examine the points of similarity and difference between Korea, Japan, and the USA in terms of the spin-off effects of space technology on cultural life. In Japan and the USA, spin-off effects of space development research by government funded research centers are diffusive while in Korea they are interruptive. Spin-offs of research results impact cultural life via technology transfer and commercialization in businesses. This is because the Korean aerospace industry has progressed largely based on an overall system, but the promotion of internal parts and sub-systems, which can trigger technological development and spin-off effects in manufacturing, has been neglected. In the case of the KARI, the government funded research center, we argue that it is necessary for KARI to devote more resources to transfer (or promote spin-offs of) space technology to small and medium-sized businesses and other industries.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2005

Spatial calibrations have been performed on the Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) of the RazakSAT satellite. Topics discussed in this paper include the measurements of system modulation transfer function (MTF), relative pixel line-of-sight (LOS), and end-to-end imaging tests. The MTF measurements were made by capturing the scanned knife-edge image on a pixel, and an issue in the MTF calculation algorithm is discussed. The method used to place the focal plane at the correct focal position is described, since they make use of MTF measurements. Relative LOS measurements are done by theodolite measurements of the telescope. Qualitative ground test result of end-to-end imaging is given.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.5_2
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• pp.755-770
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• 2023

Due to recent severe climate change, abnormal weather phenomena, and other factors, the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters are increasing. The need for disaster management using artificial satellites is growing, especially during large-scale disasters due to time and economic constraints. In this study, we have summarized the current status of next-generation medium-sized satellites and microsatellites in operation and under development, as well as trends in satellite imagery analysis techniques using a large volume of satellite imagery driven by the advancement of the space industry. Furthermore, by utilizing satellite imagery, particularly focusing on recent major disasters such as floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires, we have confirmed how satellite imagery can be employed for damage analysis, thereby establishing its potential for disaster management. Through this study, we have presented satellite development and operational statuses, recent trends in satellite imagery analysis technology, and proposed disaster response strategies that utilize various types of satellite imagery. It was observed that during the stages of disaster progression, the utilization of satellite imagery is more prominent in the response and recovery stages than in the prevention and preparedness stages. In the future, with the availability of diverse imagery, we plan to research the fusion of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and deep learning, and their applicability for effective disaster management.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.24-29
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• 2015

In this paper, a microstrip antenna with isoflux radiation patterns is presented for Low Earth Orbit(LEO) medium-sized satellites. Because of making isoflux patterns, the ground of proposed antenna under the patch was transform into a trapezoid for adjusting fringing field between the patch and ground. Next, the cavity walls were located at end of the ground for reducing back radiation. The proposed antenna was designed to receive S-band uplink(2.025 ~ 2.110 GHz) and the dimensions of the designed antenna with the ground are $160mm{\times}160mm{\times}40mm$ ($1.1{\lambda}{\times}1.1{\lambda}{\times}0.3{\lambda}$, ${\lambda}$ is the free-space wavelength at 2.068 GHz). Measured -10 dB bandwidth was 90 MHz(4.4 %) and it covers the required system bandwidth. Also, measured 3 dB axial ratio was 18 MHz(0.9 %). On the other hand, measured radiation patterns were isoflux patterns and its measured gain was 5.31 dBi at E-plane $46^{\circ}$ in the y-axis pol.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.26-26
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• 2022

본 연구는 하천중심선을 활용하여 Sentinel-1 위성영상기반 중소규모 하천 수체(水體) 추출 방법을 제안한다. 한강 유역의 한탄강 일부를 연구지역으로 선정하였으며, 이 지역을 촬영한 Sentinel-1 위성영상자료를 수집하였다. 여기에 개발한 방법의 검증을 위하여 유사시간대의 고해상도 광학위성 PlanetScope을 함께 수집하였다. 본 연구에서는 하천의 수체를 효과적으로 추출하기 위하여 국토지리정보원에서 제공하는 하천중심선 자료를 활용하였다. 하천중심선을 따라 유클리드 거리를 가중치로 산정한 자료(DST)와 Sentinel-1의 VH, VV 편광을 조합한 k-means 방법을 통해 위성영상의 픽셀을 군집화하였고, 최적의 매개변수 값을 산출하였다. 이 매개변수를 활용하여 Sentinel-1의 VV편광, VH편광 그리고 DST의 상관관계에 따른 타원방정식 형태의 계산식을 도출할 수 있었다. 수집한 자료의 검증결과 평균적으로 정확도는 0.65~0.75, kappa 계수는 0.8 내외를 보여 상당히 일치함을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, 추가 확보한 30여 개의 Sentinel-1 위성영상을 제안 방법으로 추출한 수체의 면적과 유량 값을 비교해 본 결과, 유사한 변화 양상을 보였다. 본 연구는 하천 중심선자료를 활용하여 참값이 없더라도 수체 면적 추정이 가능함을 확인하였다. 제안한 방법은 현존하는 수체추출 방법보다 간단하고 신속하게 수체를 추출할 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 추후, 딥러닝을 통한 수체 식별을 추가 진행을 통해. 정확도를 높일 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.1181-1194
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• 2018

This study suggests a novel approach of estimating stream flow discharge using the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images taken from 2015 to 2017 by European Space Agency Sentinel-1 satellite. Fifteen small to medium sized rivers in the Han River basin were selected as study area, and the SAR satellite images and flow data from water level and flow observation system operated by the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey were used for model construction. First, we apply the histogram matching technique to 12 SAR images that have undergone various preprocessing processes for error correction to make the brightness distribution of the images the same. Then, the flow estimation model was constructed by deriving the relationship between the area of the stream water body extracted using the threshold classification method and the in-situ flow data. As a result, we could construct a power function type flow estimation model at the fourteen study areas except for one station. The minimum, the mean, and the maximum coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of the models of at fourteen study areas were 0.30, 0.80, and 0.99, respectively.