Seoul launches training program for satellite developers

South Korea on Monday launched a new program to develop and train satellite experts as part of a project to build small satellites. Under the government sponsored training program, the Satellite Technology Research Center at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will train satellite experts over the next three years, starting with 14 students this year, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said in a press release. The program will likely be expanded in the future as the country is expected to need around 5,000 space experts by 2020. Currently, there are about 2,000 space researchers and developers in the country, according to the ministry. Small satellites, around 100 kilograms in weight, are mostly used to test new space technologies. The country is currently working to build a new small satellite for launch in 2016, the ministry said.