With a fourth satellite in orbit, the constellation is now complete!

The fourth Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite of Korea 425 Project constellation was successfully launched yesterday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Thales Alenia Space contributes to this program cooperating with the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC), for the Korean Agency for Defence and Development (ADD) as the prime developer.

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 feed array. 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 guaranteed by the innovative Attitute and Orbit Control System, also provided by Thales Alenia Space. These advanced technologies enable high-performance observation and surveillance capabilities, critical to the success of the program.

“I am delighted with the successful launch of the fourth satellite part of the Korea 425 Project constellation, confirming Thales Alenia Space’s long-standing expertise in the design, development and manufacturing of Earth observation satellites”, said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Executive Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space .“With a fourth satellite in orbit, the constellation is now complete, demonstrating our constant commitment to excellence and the desire to exploit the unlimited potential that awaits us.”

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.