Officials from iSCI and Seoul National University pose for a photo at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding held at SNU’s College of Engineering on Nov. 26. Photo courtesy of iSCI
Finnish satellite data company ICEYE said on the 27th that it has established a Korean unit, ICEYE Korea, and is stepping up its activities in the country.
ICEYE is a global space company that owns and operates the world’s largest constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. Drawing on proven capabilities in satellite development, manufacturing and data analysis, it provides satellite systems that customers can operate independently. The company says this supports rapid situational awareness and decision-making.
SAR satellites can observe the Earth’s surface even when visibility is limited by darkness or cloud cover. They can be used across a range of fields including defense and intelligence, disaster response, maritime surveillance and environmental monitoring.
Eric Lee, the new head of ICEYE Korea, will oversee the company’s business strategy in Korea and lead its mission satellite, Earth observation data and satellite-based solutions operations. Lee has more than 15 years of experience in defense, aerospace and space systems.
iSCI logo. Photo courtesy of iSCI
ICEYE Korea plans to focus on providing advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the defense and intelligence sector. It also aims to contribute to the development of Korea’s space and defense industry ecosystem through technology validation, participation in the domestic supply chain and the training of specialized personnel.
A day earlier, ICEYE signed a memorandum of understanding with Seoul National University on research and education cooperation in satellites and artificial intelligence. The two sides agreed to discuss whether to establish an “SNU-ICEYE Cooperation Center” for research, education and satellite operations, and to explore joint research and development in next-generation space technologies.
“Korea is an important market in Asia for ICEYE, and the establishment of ICEYE Korea will serve as a springboard for developing a long-term relationship with Korea,” ICEYE Chief Executive Rafal Modrzewski said. “With ICEYE Korea, led by Eric Lee, at the center, we will further strengthen cooperation with the government, industry and academia, and work alongside Korea as it develops its own independent space and defense capabilities.” Lee said, “We will maintain close relationships with domestic partners going forward and focus on providing the technologies and solutions they need.”