Chollian
Chollian, also known as Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite 1, is a South Korean satellite which was launched in June, 2010. It will be operated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, who will use it for communication, oceanography, and meteorological observation.
COMS-1 was constructed by EADS Astrium, and is based on the Eurostar-3000S satellite bus, bringing together lessons learned from Eurostar satellites and NASA-made GOES satellites respectively. It has a mass of, and carries transponders broadcasting in the D/E and K bands of the NATO-defined spectrum, or the L/S and Ka bands of the IEEE-defined spectrum respectively. Its single solar array is expected to generate a minimum of 2.5 kilowatts of power.
COMS-1 was launched by Arianespace using an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket lifting off from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The first attempt to launch it occurred on 23 June 2010, however the launch was scrubbed due to a problem with one of the rocket's subsystems. A subsequent attempt on 24 June was also scrubbed, due to a problem with the pressurisation of the rocket's fuel tanks. The launch occurred at 21:41 UTC on 26 June 2010. The Saudi Arabian Arabsat-5A satellite was launched by the same rocket, with a SYLDA adaptor being used to separate the spacecraft. Arabsat-5A was mounted atop the SYLDA, with COMS-1 underneath it.
Following launch, COMS-1 separated into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. It will use an apogee motor to raise itself into geosynchronous orbit. Once it reaches this orbit, it will undergo testing before beginning operations at a longitude of 128.2 degrees East. Its mission is scheduled to last seven years, however the satellite has a design life of ten years.
