Anchor: South Korea has successfully launched a new multipurpose satellite developed with domestic technology into space. The Arirang 3A has established contact with Korea’s ground station, indicating that the satellite is operating properly. 
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: South Korea's new multipurpose satellite successfully made its way into space after its launch from a Russian site on Thursday.
 
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said the science satellite, Arirang 3A (KOMPSat 3A), lifted off on a Russian Dnepr rocket at 7:08 in the morning from the Yasny launch base in Russia.
 
About five hours and 57 minutes later at 1:05 in the afternoon, the satellite established radio contact with Korea’s ground station in Daejeon.
 
KARI said the satellite opened its solar panels and that its attitude control and communication systems are operating properly.
 
South Korea has invested 230 billion won since 2006 to develop the Arirang 3A.
 
The satellite, weighing one-point-one tons, is able to distinguish any object larger than 55 centimeters on the surface of the Earth.
 
It is South Korea’s first infrared satellite which may observe the Earth during the darkest of nights.
 
It will orbit some five-hundred kilometers above the Earth for four years, flying over the Korean Peninsula twice a day.
 
The Arirang 3A is equipped with an optical camera which will take images of the Korean Peninsula for ten minutes per day and an infrared sensor which will capture images for two minutes.
 
The images will be used to monitor natural disasters, such as forest fires and volcanic activity, and detect changes in the climate and the environment.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.