It was operated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, who used it for communication, oceanography, and meteorological observation.

[5] A subsequent attempt on 24 June was also scrubbed, due to a problem with the pressurisation of the rocket's fuel tanks.

[6][7] The Saudi Arabian Arabsat-5A satellite was launched by the same rocket, with a SYLDA adaptor being used to separate the spacecraft.

It then underwent testing before beginning operations at a longitude of 128.2 degrees East on 1 April 2011.

[11] COMS-1 was deactivated on 31 March 2020, following a two-year extension of its seven-year primary mission.