The launch of the nation's first ocean weather-communications satellite is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

The Education, Science and Technology Ministry and Korea Aerospace Research Institute said Wednesday that the launch of the satellite Chollian will lift off at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana at 6:41 a.m., Thursday Korea time. The satellite will be attached to the Ariane 5 rocket.

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 at an altitude of 36-thousand kilometers.