Arianespace to launch KOMPSAT-7

SINGAPORE (IndoTelko) - Arianespace has been selected by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to launch KOMPSAT-7.

Arianespace CEO Stephane Israël and President of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) Lim Cheol-Ho, signed the KOMPSAT-7 launch contract lately.

Using a Vega C launcher, the mission will be conducted from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, from December 2021.

For nearly 30 years now, Arianespace and Korea’ satellite technology research centers have developed a sound relationship, with the launch of both scientific microsatellites (Kitsat A&B) and the multi-mission COMS satellite.

Following the upcoming launches of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A & 2B, the KOMPSAT-7 will be the fourth KARI satellite - as well as the ninth Korean satellite - to be orbited by Arianespace to date.

Developed by KARI at its facility in Daejeon, South Korea, KOMPSAT-7 will weigh approximately 2,000 kg. at launch, and will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit.

KOMPSAT-7 is the follow-up model of KOMPSAT-3A whose mission is to provide high-resolution satellite images to satisfy South-Korea’s governmental and institutional needs.

Vega C will join the Arianespace’s family of launch vehicles beginning in 2019, alongside the company’s heavy-lift Ariane 5, the medium-lift Soyuz and the light-lift Vega - all operated from the Guiana Space Center.

To meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic market segment for flight with small to medium-size satellites, Vega C will offer Arianespace customers enhanced payload performance thanks to its improved lift capability, along with increased volume under the payload fairing. Colleferro, Italy-based Avio is the industrial prime contractor for Vega and Vega C.

Stéphane Israël welcomed the contract signing, saying: “We are delighted that KARI has chosen Arianespace and Vega C to launch KOMPSAT-7. At a time where we are preparing for the launch of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A & 2B for KARI, it means a lot when such a close partner confirms the relevance of our solutions towards the dynamic Earth observation market. By embarking this satellite expected to step up Korean Earth Observation capacities, European launchers will support an ambitious national space program and contribute to strengthening the strong bond between Europe and South Korea.”(es)