The First Satellite and the Winds of War
“This is a contract for providing samples for formal testing and evaluation. The quantity is far too small for an order from the United States. One hundred units is a meaningless number.”
“I apologize, but we would like to purchase 100 units first for testing purposes before the main contract.”
“And there is no mention of follow-up quantities.”
“The U.S. Department of Defense is structured to determine the main contract volume only after testing the samples.”
“Won’t there be a shortage of time if you intend to supply them before the Iraq War?”
Colonel Oliver was taken aback when the mention of the Iraq War—a matter of strict security—slipped from Taesik’s lips. “That information hasn’t been officially released yet… You acquire intelligence faster than I expected.”
“If we sign the main contract in advance, delivery before the war is possible.”
“That is not a decision I can make. Would you give me a moment to contact my command?”
Colonel Oliver stepped out of the office with his phone and returned five minutes later. “The command has instructed me to increase the sample quantity. The sample order will be for 1,000 units, and they say the main contract will be negotiated later.”
“It’s a pity, but it can’t be helped. At 1.4 million won per radio, that’s only 1.4 billion won. It’s quite modest for an order from the U.S. Department of Defense.”
“Once word spreads that the U.S. Department of Defense is using Starlink radios, orders will pour in from every country. And please, wait for the main contract once the evaluation is complete.”
Taesik called President Ryu to inform him of the contract with the U.S. Department of Defense and had him proceed with the paperwork. After seeing Oliver off and returning to the office, President Ryu remarked:
“The order volume is lower than I thought. Even if it’s a sample contract, the effort outweighs the results.”
“Let’s just wait for the main contract that will follow. How did the thermal vacuum test go?”
“Ah! No particular issues were found. Now, we just need to put the satellites in containers and ship them to the U.S. The ground station construction will be finished by the end of this month, so the preparations in Korea are complete.”
“Would you like to go yourself to match the launch schedule, President Ryu?”
“May I go? Weren’t you planning to go yourself, CEO?”
“I need to stay at the ground station to check communications with the satellites. You should go and see it for yourself.”
“It is an honor to be the one to visit the site of our first satellite launch. Also, a minor problem has arisen regarding Deputy General Manager Son Kyung-chan.”
“What about Deputy Manager Son?”
“The company where he used to work is claiming that he leaked technology, and they are threatening to sue both him and our company for industrial technology theft.”
“Hahaha. Are they planning to sue after analyzing our product?”
“I don’t know that much. It just seems like they heard our product was released as a competitor and are trying to deal a blow.”
“Ignore it. Both the hardware and software were designed independently, so there are no issues.”
Taesik spent the end of 2002 immersed in the production of the radios ordered by the U.S. and the navigation systems for Starlink Maps. In 2003, South Korea was buzzing with excitement as it prepared to elect a new president. Uninterested in politics, Taesik supervised the production of additional satellites and began designing low-orbit satellites, while Starlink Communication continuously expanded its assembly lines to handle the flood of navigation system orders.
The U.S. submitted a resolution to the UN to use force, claiming Iraq was producing weapons of mass destruction, but the resolution was blocked by the opposition of Russia and some NATO member states. As the U.S. increased its threats against Iraq, international oil prices gradually rose, and by early 2003, WTI crude oil prices had climbed to $32.
President Ryu headed to the U.S. with the staff for the rocket launch, while Taesik decided to watch the process from the ground station. Upon arriving at the site, as the launch time approached, President Ryu connected a speakerphone to Korea to broadcast the process from the U.S. live.
The launch agency allowed Starlink, which had entrusted two satellites to them, to observe the launch site, and President Ryu relayed the progress of every step over the phone.
“President Ryu. You don’t need to broadcast everything.”
President Ryu seemed so excited that he was explaining every single step performed by the launch agency in detail, so Taesik had to soothe him while keeping an eye on his employees.
When President Ryu remained silent for a while, Taesik asked urgently, “Has the fairing separated?”
Taesik and his staff began to listen intently to the rocket launch process relayed by President Ryu.
The staff cheered as the third stage and the satellites successfully separated, and Taesik asked urgently, “Have both satellites separated?”
Taesik unclenched his tightly held fists and shouted to his staff, “Now the satellites will enter stabilization in 3-axis mode using their own batteries, and after entering 1-axis stabilization mode where the solar panels face the sun, we must wait for the communications to commence. We will remain in emergency standby, waiting for the satellite signals.”
Since it would take about 12 hours for the satellites to reach their target orbit and resume communication, Taesik dismissed the staff at the ground station, leaving only those in charge of communications. The staff couldn’t bring themselves to leave, focusing on the instruments dedicated to communicating with the satellites, so Taesik clapped his hands to draw their attention.
“It takes time for the satellites to deploy their solar panels and stabilize their attitude. Staring at them won’t change anything.”
Taesik sent the staff away from the ground station and returned to the Seoul headquarters. As he entered the building, Department Head Park Kyung-hoon rushed out to the entrance.
“Department Head Park. Is something the matter?”
“Somehow the media found out, and interview requests are pouring in.”
“What kind of interviews?”
“They are asking about the development process of the satellites launched today and their future uses.”
“I will decline. I don’t see any reason to show my face.”
“There are too many requests, so it won’t be easy to refuse.”
“Then tell them the person in charge is at the launch site in the U.S., and that I will grant interviews once President Ryu returns.”
“Understood.”
Taesik entered his office and began his work, hoping that the first satellite he had launched since his regression would function properly, but he couldn’t focus. He stood by the window, watching the scenery outside to calm his mind.
Ring-ring.
“This is Kim Taesik.”
“This is Luke from WP Morgan. Have you seen the news?”
At Luke’s words, Taesik turned on the TV in his office and watched the breaking news. The news reported that the U.S. President had appeared and was issuing a conditional declaration of war against Iraq, stating that if Hussein did not leave Iraq within 48 hours, they would commence war.
“It seems the U.S. is finally going to war.”
“Yes. I believe it is time to settle the crude oil futures. I am calling to receive final approval.”
“What is the current WTI oil price?”
“It is currently at $37. It’s about a 65% return, and we’ve made about $1.95 billion, but the final profit will have to be determined after liquidation. The price I mentioned includes the commission.”
“Proceed with the liquidation immediately.”
Taesik had invested a total of $3 billion in crude oil futures with a $300 million deposit. Hearing that he had reaped an astronomical profit of approximately 2.5 trillion won, his heart fluttered so much that he found it difficult to stay in the office any longer. His nerves, already frayed by the satellite launch, were even more strained, and Taesik left the office immediately to go for a walk.
Wandering the streets without a destination, Taesik called his senior, Sangwook, for the first time in a while.
“Oh! Kim Taesik! No, isn’t it President Kim?”
“Don’t make a fuss. Are you free today?”
“A salaryman like me works overtime every day… What’s up?” Sangwook had joined the semiconductor division of Misung Electronics immediately after receiving his doctorate and was working on semiconductor design.
“I want to have a drink today, but I have no one to drink with.”
“A junior wants me to buy him a drink, so I suppose I have to go. No! You’re a CEO! You pay for the drinks!”
“Alright. Where shall we meet?”
“Suwon is a bit much. Let’s meet in Gangnam, Seoul.”
Taesik met with Sangwook for the first time in a long while and drank soju to soothe his tense heart. Sangwook looked at Taesik with a curious expression.
“Do you have a problem? Why did you contact me so suddenly?”
“I have two satellites in orbit today, and I’m waiting for communication to come through. I’m just nervous.”
“Wow! You finally achieved your dream. You always said you would put a satellite into space…”
“I don’t know if it’s properly in orbit yet.”
“Don’t worry! A signal will come through soon.”
“How is your work life, Hyung?”
“Don’t even ask. I didn’t know it would be this hard to receive a salary from a company. I didn’t know semiconductor work was such a soul-crushing job. I don’t know why I majored in semiconductors.”
“Keep building your skills! I don’t need anyone without talent in my company later.”
“Hey! You become a CEO and your personality goes to hell… Just drink!”
The two drank soju with pork belly, and Taesik, having enjoyed the drink for the first time in a while, returned home with a light heart.
Waking up at dawn the next day, Taesik headed to the Pangyo ground station instead of the Seoul headquarters out of curiosity. He was surprised to see the staff still at their posts when he entered.
“What time did you all come in?”
The most senior staff member stood up and answered Taesik’s question.
“…We all stayed up all night waiting for communication from the satellite we launched.”
“Waiting won’t solve the problem… Has communication come through yet?”
“Not yet.”
Just as Taesik, feeling thirsty from the alcohol he drank the day before, was about to move to the break room:
“CEO! We have a signal!”
Taesik ran to the front of the instrument panel at the staff’s words, and the staff member hurriedly reported the results he had confirmed.
“Solar panel deployment, voltage, internal temperature—all readings are normal. GPS information is also coming through correctly.”
The staff cheered at the news that the satellite was functioning normally, and Taesik hurriedly checked the information on the instrument panel.
“Has the optical camera data come through?”
“It is currently over the Korean peninsula, so we will download the data.”
The staff member in charge of the optical camera began downloading the data, and a moment later, he executed the received file. A photo taken directly from the satellite filled the computer screen, and the staff watching from the sidelines cheered at the clear image. Taesik immediately picked up the phone, called President Ryu to convey the fact that the two satellites were functioning properly, and then shouted to his staff:
“We’re having a company-wide dinner today. Let’s all go!”