(Hanwha System)

Hanwha Systems, a South Korean defense solutions company, said Thursday its small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite has successfully conducted a mission for Earth observation by capturing images of landmarks in major cities, including New York and Dubai.

The images were taken by Hanwha Systems' small SAR satellite that has been orbiting the Earth 15 times a day since its launch in December, according to the company.

An SAR satellite can create images of photographic maps by emitting electromagnetic waves from space to the ground and synthesizing the waves.

Hanwha Systems said its satellite, with a resolution of 1 meter, took images of various landmarks on Earth, such as Yankee Stadium and the Central Park in New York and Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest artificial archipelago, in Dubai, demonstrating its ability to identify and observe major bridges, rivers and airports.

The SAR satellite images can be used for various purposes, such as climate and environmental monitoring to predict disasters, construction and infrastructure developments as well as energy exploration and national security, the company explained.

The company said it plans to enhance its SAR satellite technology to capture images that identify more detailed features, like low-rise buildings and cars in urban areas, flora and fauna in forest areas and maritime vessel information.

"With the successful capture of images by the small SAR satellite, we reaffirm our technological prowess in the space sector," Eoh Sung-chul, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, noting the company will continue to work to expand its space business. (Yonhap)