The operation of the Arirang 2 multipurpose satellite has been extended for two years until July 2015.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said Thursday that they have decided to extend the operation given that the satellite and its payload are continue to operate normally. 

Since its launch in July 2006 from Russia, the satellite has taken about two-point-nine million images and earned 14-point-seven billion won through sales of the images at home and abroad.

The institute expects that the satellite will continue to contribute to the nation’s use of satellite images if it is operated along with the Arirang 3 launched last year and the Arirang 5 set for launch in August.