The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has been officially recognized as a world-class entity in terms of earth observation satellites.

On Nov. 2, the national weather service officially joined the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), becoming the 32nd member. The decision was made at the 30th CEOS General Assembly in Australia.

The KMA was granted membership partially based on the successful operation of the Chollian-1 weather satellite (천리 안위성 1호) launched in 2010 -- also called the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite -- and for its regular policy of sharing its application methods for meteorological satellite data with developing nations across the Asia-Pacific.

The CEOS committee was established in 1984 with the goal of enhancing international cooperation across earth observation satellites, and of exchanging a variety of policies and technologies related to meteorology.

It now consists of 32 members, including the Italy-based Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), along with 28 associate members, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA).



As a CEOS member, the KMA will conduct joint research with international centers, develop technologies in correcting and analyzing satellite data, enhance required skills and share related documents. It will also monitor climate change and possible natural disasters, as well as operate a practical group that will manage the information systems and services at its facilities.

“Membership acknowledges our agency’s lead position in the earth observation satellite area. The KMA will work actively as a CEOS member, and share the latest information and technologies,” said an official from the KMA.

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Korea Meteorological Administration
jiae5853@korea.kr