South Korea’s commercial telecommunication satellite, Koreasat-6 (renamed Mugunghwa-6), was successfully launched by Arianespace from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana. Thales Alenia Space, the prime contractor, teamed with US manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp., who provided the satellite platform.

Thales Alenia Space was responsible for the design, manufacturing and testing of the Koreasat-6 satellite and Ground Segment, as well as the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), In-Orbit Test (IOT) support and associated services. The company procured Orbital’s STARTM platform, and manufactured the communications payload.

Designed for a lifetime of 15 years, Koreasat-6 satellite has 30 active Ku-band transponders with a 2,850 kg launch mass and 3.4 kW of electrical power. The satellite will provide broadcasting and telecommunications services over Korea from its orbital position at 116° East, and will replace Koreasat-3 that will be decommissioned in 2011.

Emmanuel Grave, Vice President Telecommunication of Thales Alenia Space, said, “KT Corp. is one of Thales Alenia Space’s key customers in the Asia Pacific region, and we are very pleased to help them offering new high-value services to their customers.”