KAIST SaTReC (Satellite Technology Research Center)

The Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is South Korea's pioneering university satellite research center, located in Daejeon, and renowned as the birthplace of South Korea's satellite program. SaTReC developed KITSAT-1 (Uribyol-1), launched in August 1992 from Kourou, French Guiana — the first Korean-built satellite, designed and manufactured by KAIST students trained in the UK with support from the University of Surrey's SSTL. The success of KITSAT established South Korea's domestic satellite development capability and spawned subsequent KITSAT missions. SaTReC continues to develop small scientific and technology demonstration satellites, conducts research in satellite subsystems, remote sensing, and space systems engineering, and trains the next generation of South Korean satellite engineers.