A “dancing satellite”, part of a future constellation offering high performance and short revisit
The first Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite of Korea 425 Project constellation was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the evening of 7th, April 2024.
© SpaceX
Thales Alenia Space's contribution to this program, developed in cooperation with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC), for the Korean Agency for Defence and Development (ADD) as the prime developer, goes beyond the engineering support provided during the critical phases of the End-to-End System and Satellite System projects.
Our contribution extends to the supply of our high-performance Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) that utilizes an innovative antenna consisting of a Large deployable reflector with 24 deployable petals and an active phased array feed array in dual polarization. Another significant part of our contribution is the acquisition, storage, and data retransmission system on the ground. The high agility of the “dancing satellite” is guarantee by the innovative avionics and Control Momentum Gyroscope, also provided by Thales Alenia Space. These advanced technologies enable high-performance observation and surveillance capabilities, critical to the success of the program.
© Thales Alenia Space
“I am delighted with the successful launch of the first satellite of Korea 425 Project constellation, confirming Thales Alenia Space’s long-standing expertise in the design, development and construction of Earth observation satellites.” said Massimo Comparini, Deputy CEO and Senior Executive Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “As we celebrate this inaugural launch, our attention remains fixed on the horizon, where several milestones await us over the next year: from the meticulous calibration and in-orbit acceptance of the first satellite, to the eagerly awaited launch of the second one, to the completion of rigorous testing for the third and fourth satellites Our company is ready to support our Korean partners. Each step forward is not only a mark of progress, but a testimony of our unwavering commitment to excellence and the limitless potential that lies ahead as well.”
Thales Alenia Space’s involvement in the 425 Project strengthens its fruitful collaboration with South Korea for space programs, including the KOMPSAT-5 observation project, the Koreasat family of telecommunication satellites, GEO-KOMPSAT-2, and KASS satellite navigation system, that was certified by national authorities and entered operational service recently.