The nation's first ocean weather-communications satellite has been assembled for launch Thursday.

The Education, Science and Technology Ministry and Korea Aerospace Research Institute say the satellite Chollian has been attached to the Ariane 5 rocket at Guyana Space Center in Kourou, French Guyana, and is ready for launch.

The rocket will be moved to the launch pad Tuesday after a final rehearsal and will lift off between 6:41 and 7:45 a.m. Thursday Korean Standard Time.

Chollian is a multifunctional observation satellite in geostationary orbit that will provide communications, maritime and climate data and services around the clock for the next seven years.

When the satellite is equipped with a homemade and certified communications device, Korea will become the tenth nation to own a self-developed communications satellite.