On August 25, at the KT SAT satellite control center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, a demonstration was held showcasing the adjustment of a large outdoor antenna's azimuth. This antenna serves as a critical infrastructure connecting satellites in space with Earth. During the demonstration, the antenna was adjusted at a rate of 0.5 degrees per second, while it typically moves at 0.002 degrees per second to maintain precise alignment with geostationary satellites located approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth.
The Yongin center operates a total of five antennas, with an additional five located at the Daejeon sub-control center. This redundancy ensures that satellite signals remain uninterrupted even if one control center encounters issues.
Kim Gyu-pil, deputy manager of the satellite technology team at KT SAT, stated, "The large outdoor dish antenna is a core infrastructure that connects satellite signals between Earth and space. KT SAT's large antennas and various satellite communication infrastructures are among the best in the country in terms of scale, performance, and operational capability."
The control room adjacent to the antenna manages the actual movement and operation of the satellites. Inside, satellite-specific control consoles and large monitors are lined up. Two clocks on the wall display Korean time and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). One large screen shows the positions of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and space objects densely surrounding the Earth. Kim Gi-young, head of the satellite consulting team at KT SAT, explained, "If the risk of collision exceeds a certain level, a warning appears on the control screen below."
Since the opening of the Yongin satellite control center in 1994, KT SAT has been managing geostationary satellites for over 30 years. Kim emphasized, "We have the longest experience in satellite services in the country, and there are only about ten companies worldwide with such satellite experience."
KT SAT's competitiveness lies not only in satellite control but also in its ability to manage the entire process from satellite operation to customer service. While the Yongin satellite control center manages satellite orbits and attitudes, the Geumsan satellite center operates satellite communication services. Kim noted, "The Geumsan center provides satellite services to various customers, including broadcasting, government, and businesses, based on over 40 antennas, and plays a role in linking KT's terrestrial communication network with satellite networks."
The operational capabilities accumulated over 30 years have also been utilized to enhance the utilization of existing satellites. Instead of decommissioning the Mugunghwa satellite, which reached the end of its design life last year, KT SAT has repositioned it to serve new needs in the Oceania region.
Kim explained, "Repositioning Mugunghwa satellite 6 involves complex engineering tasks that require comprehensive reviews of attitude control, orbital operation, real-time monitoring of the satellite and payload, and power and thermal environment conditions. Our skilled control capabilities have allowed us to maximize the asset value of the satellite by recycling it."
KT SAT plans to extend its GEO operational experience into the LEO business. The strategy is to transform into a 'multi-orbit service operator' by combining satellite networks in various orbits with terrestrial communication networks to secure new demand. Kim stated, "While there are differences in satellite altitude and operational methods between GEO and LEO, the fundamental operational principles, such as satellite status monitoring, command, and orbit and attitude control, are common."
To achieve this, KT SAT has been applying its proprietary control software to actual satellite operations since 2017. The company aims to enhance its control system to manage hundreds to thousands of LEO satellites simultaneously. Plans also include gradually expanding automation of repetitive tasks and anomaly detection using artificial intelligence (AI).
However, there are challenges to connect the multi-orbit strategy to actual business expansion. In South Korea, the dense infrastructure of wired and wireless communication networks limits the demand for satellite communications, and in LEO, KT SAT will need to utilize satellite networks from global players like Starlink. It remains to be seen whether KT SAT can secure independent revenue sources and business leadership while leveraging external LEO satellite networks.
Choi Seong-ho, the chief technology officer at KT SAT, noted, "While some companies, like Starlink, have vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, launching, operating, and services, this is not the approach for all countries. In Europe and the Korean market, manufacturers, service providers, and telecommunications companies collaborate to create the market through standards."
He added, "We can utilize the satellite control, management, and operational experience accumulated in South Korea in LEO, and we will respond to the market by collaborating with domestic satellite manufacturers and others."
KT SAT also highlighted its capability to connect satellite networks with terrestrial networks as a differentiating factor. Lee Hoon-cheol, head of the satellite control division at KT SAT, stated, "To provide actual communication services, signals and data from space must be connected to terrestrial communication networks. Global satellite operators must also establish a local presence in South Korea and collaborate with local providers, which is where KT SAT can add value."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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