Press releases

Thales Alenia Space to build Koreasat-7 and Koreasat-5A satellites

Press releases

Thales Alenia Space to build Koreasat-7 and Koreasat-5A satellites

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    Cannes, May 12th, 2014 – Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has signed a contract with the Korean satellite service operator KT Sat, subsidiary of KT Corporation, to build two telecommunications satellites, Koreasat-7 and Koreasat-5A, winning the contract against an international field of competitors. The two satellites will provide Internet access, multimedia, broadcasting and fixed communications services.

    As program prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the design, production, testing and On Ground Delivery (OGD) of the satellites. It will also take charge of the launch campaigns, the launch and early operations phase (LEOP) and in-orbit tests (IOT).

    Built on the Upgraded Spacebus 4000B2 platform from Thales Alenia Space, Koreasat-7 will be fitted with Ku-band transponders and Ka-band transponders. Koreasat-5A will carry Ku-band transponders. Koreasat-7's coverage zone encompasses Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia and India, while Koreasat-5A will cover Korea, Japan, Indochina and the Middle East. Each satellite will weigh about 3,500 kg at launch and will offer payload power of about 7 kW. Koreasat-7 will be positioned at 116° East and Koreasat-5A at 113° East.

    "I would like to express my warm thanks to KT Sat for choosing us to build these two new telecommunications satellites," said Jean-Loïc Galle, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. "KT Sat is a long-standing customer, for whom we already built the Koreasat-5 and Koreasat-6 satellites. Through this new contract, we are delighted to support the development of large-scale space programs in South Korea, and in Asia in general."

    About Thales Alenia Space:

    Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies' “Space Alliance”, which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues in excess of 2 billion euros in 2013, and has 7,500 employees in six countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

    Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:

    Sandrine Bielecki
    Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
    sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

    Tarik Lahlou
    Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 68 45
    tarik.lahlou@thalesaleniaspace.com


    About KTSAT:

    KTSAT currently operates 3 satellites: Koreasat 5, Koreasat 6, and Koreasat 8. The Koreasat fleet covers the Korean peninsula, the Philippines, and Northeast Asia with Ku-band. It also covers Africa and Eastern Asia with C-band. As a global service provider, KTSAT intends to expand its overseas business through different types of cooperative initiatives. KTSAT is leading the Korean satellite industry by providing satellite services and solutions, such as transponder leases, DTH, and VSAT services. www.ktsat.co.kr