Spire to host second optical payload for South Korea

Edinburgh, 8 August 2022. – Space-based data, analytics, and space services provider, Spire Global, will host a second Earth-imaging payload, Hancom-2 satellite, for South Korean space services company, Hancom InSpace as part of expanding its East Asian operations.

Hancom is the first South Korean private company to operate a commercial satellite mission, hosting an optical payload on a Low Earth Multi-Use Receiver (LEMUR). The 3U nanosatellite supports the agriculture sector including landscaping applications. Hancom-1 was launched in May aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-5 rideshare mission.

Hancom also acts as Spire’s first reseller within South Korea. The company will host an optical payload on a 6U Spire satellite in 2023 with Spire managing payload integration, launch, and mission operations. Hancom-2, just like its predecessor, focuses on optical imagery for agricultural applications and is part of the planned constellation of 50 satellites.

Hancom specializes in commercial and government image analysis applications. These include vehicle, aircraft and ship detection, observation of changes in roads and buildings, as well as pine tree death detection.