The KOMPSAT-5 Image Reception and Processing Element

KOREA'S first synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, KOMPSAT-5, is now ready to launch in the middle of 2011. The KOMPSAT-5 will be delivered to low Earth orbit for all-weather day-night monitoring of the Korean peninsula. The primary mission goal is to provide GOLDEN mission: Geographic information system, Ocean management, Land management, Disaster monitoring, and ENvironment monitoring. In order to fulfill the GOLDEN mission, the KOMPSAT-5 will use CO SI (COrea SAR Instrument) payload to provide high-resolution mode SAR images of 1 m resolution, standard mode SAR images of 3 m resolution, and wide-swath mode SAR images of 20 m resolution, all with the viewing condition of a 45-degree incidence angle. The KOMPSAT-5 Ground Segment (KGS) constitutes three central elements-Mission Control Element, Calibration and Verification Element, and Image Reception and Processing Element (IRPE)-for controlling and operating the KOMPSAT-5 satellite; for calibrating its COSI payload; for archiving the SAR data; and for generating and distributing basic products. This paper outlines the KGS layout, describes the IRPE in more detail, and presents the overall operational workflow.