The Korea Aerospace Research Institute says preparations for a launch of the multi-purpose Arirang Two satellite slated for July 28th from a Russian spaceport are progressing smoothly.

The institute said Friday that the satellite was shipped on June 20th to the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, eight hundred kilometers northeast of Moscow and that South Korean and Russian technicians have completed function checkups and fuel injection.

The institute has also completed preparations for communications between the satellite and the earth station in Daejon in order to operate the Arirang Two satellite and secure the images it sends back.

An institute official said that the related staff will conduct a final rehearsal Tuesday to ensure a successful launch and operation of the satellite.