South Korea is preparing to bolster its environmental monitoring capabilities with the upcoming launch of the GYEONGGISat-2, a climate observation satellite, slated for the latter half of 2026. This follows the successful deployment and ongoing operation of the GYEONGGISat-1, launched in November 2025, marking a significant step in the Gyeonggi Province’s commitment to addressing climate change and advancing its aerospace industry. The province announced the launch plans on February 16, 2026, highlighting the growing importance of space-based environmental data.
The GYEONGGISat program, spearheaded by Gyeonggi Province, aims to provide high-resolution data for monitoring environmental changes and supporting climate action initiatives. The first satellite, launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on November 29, 2025, is currently undergoing successful testing and calibration, according to officials. The satellite is already performing attitude control analysis, camera testing, and data transmission and reception. Full-scale image collection is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, providing imagery of the entire Gyeonggi Province.
GYEONGGISat-1: Monitoring Land Use and Disaster Response
GYEONGGISat-1 is an optical satellite equipped with high-resolution multispectral imaging capabilities and a high-speed data processing unit. Despite its relatively small size – weighing 25kg, roughly the size of a microwave oven – it can capture precise data in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. This data will be used to detect changes in urban areas, ecosystems, and land cover across the Gyeonggi region. The processed data will be made publicly available through the ‘Gyeonggi Climate Platform,’ offering valuable insights to researchers and the public. Residents can currently view real-time location data and sample imagery from GYEONGGISat-1 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Library, according to reports.
GYEONGGISat-2: Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The upcoming GYEONGGISat-2 (GYEONGGISat-2A) will focus on a different aspect of climate monitoring: greenhouse gas emissions. It will be equipped with a precision sensor to measure methane (CH4) concentrations, allowing for detailed tracking of emissions from specific locations, such as industrial complexes within Gyeonggi Province. This data will be used to create an ‘Greenhouse Gas Observation Map’ integrated into the Gyeonggi Climate Platform. The third satellite, GYEONGGISat-2B, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2027, will also contribute to greenhouse gas emission tracking efforts, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Partnership with Nara Space
Nara Space is the development and operational partner for the GYEONGGISat program, having secured a 4.5 billion won (approximately $3.3 million USD as of February 15, 2026) contract from Gyeonggi Province to oversee the construction and operation of all three satellites. The company previously developed GYEONGGISat-1, demonstrating its expertise in small satellite technology and data processing.
Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province emphasized the importance of the climate satellite program, stating it demonstrates the province’s proactive approach to climate change and its potential to stimulate the local aerospace industry. “The climate satellite is proof and a symbol of Gyeonggi Province’s most active response to the climate crisis, and the synergy effect with many related industries in Gyeonggi Province, including the aerospace industry, is also great,” he said, as reported by Sports Seoul.
The Gyeonggi Province’s investment in its own satellite constellation represents a growing trend among regional entities seeking to independently monitor environmental changes and inform local policy decisions. The success of GYEONGGISat-1 and the anticipated data from GYEONGGISat-2 and GYEONGGISat-2B will likely serve as a model for other regions considering similar initiatives. The next key milestone will be the launch of GYEONGGISat-2 later this year, and the subsequent release of methane emission data, which will provide valuable insights for targeted climate mitigation strategies within the province.
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