ROLE OF SMALL SATELLITE IN NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM

摘要

SaTReC initiated working on a micro-satellite program (KITSAT Program) in 1989 which was about 40 years later than US and USSR did. SeTReC started a micro-satellite program called KITSAT Program as a faculty RD program of satellite technology development. The program was selected as an Engineering Research Center (ERC) sponsored by Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF). The program was to support abut 1million USD per year for 9 years. Under this program total of 27 students were sent abroad for their advanced degrees in their chosen specialty of a satellite system. The KITSAT program was operated in two tiers: overseas team which absorbed new technology and domestic team which made an advanced subsystem for the future use.The first 50kg satellite, KITSAT-1, was launched in 1991 successfully with extreme excitement. The KITSAT-2 was similar with KITSAT-1 except better qualities all around made by ourselves and launched in 1992. By this time the KITSAT program became a truly amazing showcase for students and general public. It certainly served national awareness of curiosity and importance of space even to government policy makers. This and the Government Program of KOMPSAT necessitated the birth of The Korean National Space Development Program in April, 1996.KITSAT Program was extended even after the 9 year support of ERC which ended in 1999 to a national program under the name of STSAT(Science and Technology Satellite) Program. On the other hand a group of engineers and scientists of SaTReC formed a venture company called SaTReCi(I for initiative) which specialize space technology in 1999. SaTReCi(SI) grew to be very successful and competitive with world giants in the field of small satellite technology business.