Ocean Exploration and Observation: From Ship to Satellite
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
Situated on a peninsula almost surrounded by water, the Republic of Korea has been a maritime nation throughout its history. As such, understanding the contents of the ocean, from minerals to energy resources, and developing and maintaining port infrastructure and coastal landscapes is extremely important.
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) is a government institution tasked with discovering new scientific knowledge about the ocean through development of cutting edge technology, from satellite imaging to state-of-the-art vessels for ocean exploration, as well as investment in the education of next generation of oceanographers.
Satellite imaging is essential in getting a clear picture of the ocean, in detail and over time. In June 2010, as part of the payload on Korean satellite COMS-1, the Geostationary Ocean Color Imaging (GOCI) satellite was launched. As the first geostationary orbit satellite image sensor, it acquires data across 8 spectral bands, at a spatial resolution of 500m allowing for the visualization of regional scale ocean processes.
Back on the earth's surface, KIOST researchers are engaged in a number of ocean-going research projects using ISABU, a brand new world-class research vessel. Named after a 6th century maritime general, ISABU features a multitude of state of the art research technology, from multibeam echo sounders to an ultraclean sampling system.
All these research areas are providing fundamental knowledge about the way the ocean works, as well as forming the basis for new techniques and technology in ocean science. To sustain these developments, KIOST has established new headquarters in Busan, pushing the technology and insights into the sea even further.