The state-funded Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has begun assembling a communication, oceanography and meteorological satellite.

KARI began to develop the Coms-1 satellite in 2003 and has injected 350 billion won into the development project. It had commissioned a French company for the satellite design and received the completed designs in March this year.

The institute said that the two-and-a-half ton satellite would be launched in June 2009 with maritime observation sensors, along with a weather camera and transponders for satellite communications.

The Coms-1 satellite will be launched on a French rocket from equatorial French Guiana.

Once the satellite is placed into orbit, it is expected to be operational for seven years.

It will be the first satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit above the equator and produced from locally developed technologies and components in partnership with EADS, an aerospace subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.