Korean Telecom Corporation (KT Corporation) has chosen Arianespace to launch its next communications satellite, Koreasat 6.
Koreasat 6 will be boosted into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport, French Guiana, during the second half of 2010.
Koreasat 6 is the second satellite to be launched by Arianespace for the Korean operator, following Koreasat 3, orbited in 1999. Arianespace has another Korean satellite on its launch manifest, COMS-1, a multimission satellite for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Koreasat 6 will be built by Thales Alenia Space using a Star-2 platform from Orbital Sciences Corporation of the United States. Weighing about 2,750 kg at launch, it will be fitted with 30 Ku-band transponders. The Koreasat 6 satellite will provide telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout the country, from its orbital position at 116* East. It will have a design life exceeding 15 years.
“We are extremely proud and honored to be chosen for the second time by Korea Telecom Corporation,” said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall. “Our selection is the clear recognition of the high quality and overall excellence of Arianespace’s launch Service & Solutions.”
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers since 1980. Backed by 23 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivaled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence. As of 25 August 2008, Arianespace had launched a total of 263 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of nearly 25 Ariane 5 and 10 Soyuz launches, equal to more than 3 years of business. www.arianespace.com
