(Space and Missile Defense Report via NewsEdge) Koreasat 5, the hybrid military and civilian communications satellite jointly owned by the French Agency for Defense Development and South Korea's KT Corp., was recently launched into orbit by Sea Launch Co. on a Zenit-3SL rocket at 154 degrees West Longitude on the Equator.
The satellite was placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to reach, after the completion of the launch early operations, a final orbital position of 113 degrees East.
Koreasat 5 will offer secured military communications for the Korean defense forces, as well as serve KT's satellite business by broadening its DTH TV offer in Korea.
The 4,448-kilogram satellite based on a Spacebus 4000 C1 platform was designed, manufactured and integrated by prime contractor Alcatel Alenia Space. It brings 36 active transponders in Ku-band for the commercial mission and in Ka and SHF-bands for military purposes.
The new bird will deliver advanced broadband multimedia and digital television transmission services, along with conventional telecom services to operators in the Asia-Pacific region.
Its state-of-the-art broadband payload includes new technologies developed within the scope of European military programs. It will provide 8.6 kilowatts of electrical power, with an expected lifespan of beyond 15 years.
"The Koreasat 5 launch further strengthens the solid ties between our company and the Republic of Korea and, together with our involvement in the Kompsat 2 and Kompsat 5 programs, illustrates our active participation in Asia space project developments," said Pascale Sourisse, president and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space.
"Our ability to deliver dual (civil/military) solutions and our strong heritage have allowed us to provide upper technologies to meet the requirements of both our customers KT and ADD," he added.
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