The nation's first geostationary ocean-weather satellite, the "Cheollian," entered orbit at 10:10 p.m. on Monday. The satellite was launched from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, on June 27th.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, three overseas ground stations including one in Dongara, Australia, established contact with the Cheollian, confirming its entry into geostationary orbit.

The satellite and its devices are known to be in good working condition.

South Korea will take over control of the satellite on Saturday.

The Cheollian is currently being controlled by France’s EADS Astrium, which helped build the satellite.

The Cheollian is tasked with sending the nation communication, maritime and climate data for the next six months.