A new Korean-made satellite has been sent off to Kazakhstan ahead of a launch this year.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said the low orbit satellite is scheduled to be launched into space on Russia's Soyuz 2.1a rocket from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome on March 20.

Once in orbit, the satellite, equipped with an imaging sensor system developed by South Korean researchers, will conduct its observation mission around 498 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

It is expected to start providing high-precision observation videos of Earth in June, according to the ministry.

A relative latecomer to the global space race, South Korea is seeking to develop homegrown technology for observation of agriculture and water resources and its responses to natural disasters.

The government has set aside nearly 158 billion won to develop the satellite since 2015, and aims to launch another midsized satellite early next year.

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