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KOREASAT 6A to embark a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) payload built by Thales Alenia Space
Following the communications satellite contract signed in September 2022, KT SAT Corporation Ltd. (KT SAT), the leading satellite service provider in South Korea, and Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), are announcing today that KOREASAT 6A will also embark a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) payload to improve the continuity and availability of the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS).
Developed since 2016 by Thales Alenia Space jointly with the Korean space agency (KARI), KASS is similar to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). It improves the positioning and navigation performance provided by global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for a number of different sectors, especially aviation. It has been developed to meet international standards by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), improving the accuracy and reliability of global positioning system (GPS) signals and better ensure flight safety and efficiency, while also reducing the environmental impact of air travel.
KASS is expected to improve the GPS position error to 1.0-1.6 metre from the current 15-33 metre level in real time to ensure positioning reliability throughout the country. Also KASS has been considered as a future technology as it could be applied to various fields, mainly public safety, transportation, defence and science.
“I would like to thank KT SAT for their renewed trust in Thales Alenia Space” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “The embarkation of a SBAS payload built by Thales Alenia Space onboard KOREASAT 6A for the KASS system re-enforces our space navigation positioning and illustrates the success of European satellite navigation solutions.”
David Kyunmin Song, CEO of KT SAT said “Once KASS is successfully built up, we expect it will not only improve flight safety but also offer the most optimal air route as well. We are very pleased to play a pivotal role in the development of KASS under the partnership with Thales Alenia Space in manufacturing KOREASAT 6A.”
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.
“With a strong presence across multiple sectors in Korea since 1983, space remains a key industry for Thales to deepen our long-standing relationship with key partners and to continuously improve the accuracy and positioning of the solutions we offer. Our ambition is to continue developing these capabilities jointly with our partners and stakeholders in the ecosystem, in our commitment to developing our expertise in Korea,” said Sandy Gillio, Country Director, Thales in Korea.
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. 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.
About THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.2 billion euros in 2022 and has around 8,500 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
ABOUT KT SAT
Since the establishment of Kumsan Satellite Service Center in 1970, KT SAT (wholly owned by KT) has been leading Korea’s broadcasting and telecommunication industry for over 50 years in Asia. KT SAT deploys a total of five satellites to provide user-customized services and global satellite coverage over Asia, the Middle East and Africa. KOREASAT reaches majority of regions where customers need high performance connectivity, covering from Asia to Africa with Cband Hemi Beam and providing very high powered Ku-Band Regional Beam in South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging the abundant experience and expertise of a global satellite operator, KT SAT recently started a space data business focusing in satellite imagery and analysis. Besides that, as a part of the strategy aiming to be a multi-orbit satellite provider, KT SAT also invested in U.S.-based startup Mangata Networks in 2022. www.ktsat.com
KOREASAT 6A to embark a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) payload built by Thales Alenia Space
Following the communications satellite contract signed in September 2022, KT SAT Corporation Ltd. (KT SAT), the leading satellite service provider in South Korea, and Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), are announcing today that KOREASAT 6A will also embark a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) payload to improve the continuity and availability of the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS).
Developed since 2016 by Thales Alenia Space jointly with the Korean space agency (KARI), KASS is similar to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). It improves the positioning and navigation performance provided by global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for a number of different sectors, especially aviation. It has been developed to meet international standards by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), improving the accuracy and reliability of global positioning system (GPS) signals and better ensure flight safety and efficiency, while also reducing the environmental impact of air travel.
KASS is expected to improve the GPS position error to 1.0-1.6 metre from the current 15-33 metre level in real time to ensure positioning reliability throughout the country. Also KASS has been considered as a future technology as it could be applied to various fields, mainly public safety, transportation, defence and science.
“I would like to thank KT SAT for their renewed trust in Thales Alenia Space” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “The embarkation of a SBAS payload built by Thales Alenia Space onboard KOREASAT 6A for the KASS system re-enforces our space navigation positioning and illustrates the success of European satellite navigation solutions.”
David Kyunmin Song, CEO of KT SAT said “Once KASS is successfully built up, we expect it will not only improve flight safety but also offer the most optimal air route as well. We are very pleased to play a pivotal role in the development of KASS under the partnership with Thales Alenia Space in manufacturing KOREASAT 6A.”
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.
“With a strong presence across multiple sectors in Korea since 1983, space remains a key industry for Thales to deepen our long-standing relationship with key partners and to continuously improve the accuracy and positioning of the solutions we offer. Our ambition is to continue developing these capabilities jointly with our partners and stakeholders in the ecosystem, in our commitment to developing our expertise in Korea,” said Sandy Gillio, Country Director, Thales in Korea.
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. 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.
About THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.2 billion euros in 2022 and has around 8,500 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS
Jamie Chow Tel.: +65 6424 7124 jamie.chow@thalesgroup.com
Ashleigh Ow Tel.: +65 9007 2107 ThalesAPAC@finnpartners.com
ABOUT KT SAT
Since the establishment of Kumsan Satellite Service Center in 1970, KT SAT (wholly owned by KT) has been leading Korea’s broadcasting and telecommunication industry for over 50 years in Asia. KT SAT deploys a total of five satellites to provide user-customized services and global satellite coverage over Asia, the Middle East and Africa. KOREASAT reaches majority of regions where customers need high performance connectivity, covering from Asia to Africa with Cband Hemi Beam and providing very high powered Ku-Band Regional Beam in South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging the abundant experience and expertise of a global satellite operator, KT SAT recently started a space data business focusing in satellite imagery and analysis. Besides that, as a part of the strategy aiming to be a multi-orbit satellite provider, KT SAT also invested in U.S.-based startup Mangata Networks in 2022. www.ktsat.com