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KT SAT and Thales Alenia Space sign contract for KOREASAT 6A communications satellite

September 12, 2022

KT SAT Corporation Ltd. and Thales Alenia Space the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), have signed the contract for the KOREASAT 6A communications satellite.

KOREASAT 6A will replace the current KORESAT 6 satellite and will deliver both fixed satellite service (FSS) and broadcasting satellite service (BSS) to South Korea. It will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 116° East.

As program prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the design, construction, testing and ground delivery of the satellite, followed by orbital positioning and in-orbit testing services. In addition, Thales Alenia Space will train and support the customer’s on-site engineering team and will provide operational assistance throughout the satellite’s lifetime.

Built on Thales Alenia Space's proven Spacebus 4000B2 platform, KOREASAT 6A will be fitted with six BSS transponders and 20 FSS transponders to cover all of South Korea. Slated for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2024, KOREASAT 6A will weigh about 3.5 metric tons at launch and offers a design life of 15 years.

"I would like to thank KT SAT for their ongoing trust in Thales Alenia Space,” said Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “This contract opens a new chapter in the long-standing and successful collaboration between our companies: KOREASAT 6A is the fifth satellite to be built by Thales Alenia Space for KT SAT”.

David Kyunmin Song, CEO of KT SAT said “After running a competitive process with multiple bidders, we are very pleased to announce the selection of Thales Alenia Space for the construction of our new satellite.

KOREASAT 6A will ensure KT SAT’s ability to provide the highest quality satellite services to its loyal customers over the long-term. We are looking forward to achieving a sustainable growth in KT SAT’s satellite business in cooperation with Thales Alenia Space. “