KT SAT Successfully Launches Mugunghwa Satellite 6A

KT SAT's latest communication satellite, "Mugunghwa Satellite 6A" (Koreasat-6A), was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

The launch took place at 12:22 PM local time on the 11th, marking a significant step in strengthening KT SAT’s position as the sole operator of geostationary communication satellites in South Korea.

Seven minutes after the launch, the Falcon 9 rocket booster successfully separated and landed safely on the ground, while the second-stage rocket followed its planned trajectory, successfully placing the satellite into orbit about 35 minutes after launch.

This launch is the first in about seven years since the launches of Mugunghwa Satellites 5A and 7 in 2017, and KT SAT is now able to further expand its global satellite communication network.

Mugunghwa Satellite 6A will provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) in the future.

In particular, as the second satellite for the Korean Aerospace Satellite Service (KASS), it will be responsible for real-time correction of GPS errors to provide accurate location information nationwide.

KT SAT CEO Seo Young-soo stated that with this launch, “we have expanded our competitiveness in geostationary satellite services” and added, “By combining this with our low-earth orbit satellite services, we will continue to lead the domestic satellite industry.”

Mugunghwa Satellite 6A will undergo an orbit insertion process for about a month, and after completing orbital testing via the satellite control system “KOSMOS” by the end of the year, it is scheduled to begin full-scale services in the first quarter of next year.

With KOSMOS' big data analysis capabilities, the satellite will be able to prevent malfunctions in advance and respond quickly in case of issues, ensuring stable data and broadcasting services for domestic customers, including the military, government, and broadcasters.

Meanwhile, this Falcon 9 launch marks SpaceX’s 23rd successful launch and landing return.


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KT SAT Successfully Launches Mugunghwa Satellite 6A