South Korea plans to launch a maritime communication and weather satellite into space in June 2009, according to reports from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

The ministry said the satellite was developed jointly by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and France's Astrium. It will be placed in a geo-synchronized orbit over the Korean Peninsula and will be tasked with various roles. Astrium has developed the maritime monitoring component of the satellite and the KARI will attach the French-made part to a locally developed satellite before the satellite is launched from French Guiana in South America. The ministry said the satellite will be brought into the country today for assembly by KARI. The 2.5-ton satellite can cover 2,500 square km from a "central point" (130° E) west of Pohang on South Korea's east coast. The satellite will be able to deliver pictures of plankton growth, information on movement of fishery resources and pollution levels, as well as provide communications services and weather information, according to a report from South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. The South Korean government said the satellite, which costs a total of 355.8 billion won (236.4 million U.S. dollar), has a life expectancy of seven years.