Koreasat-6 payload Shipped to Orbital for final assembly

(Toulouse, November 27, 2009) -- Koreasat-6 satellite prime contractor Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has shipped the payload to Orbital Sciences Corporation for final integration aboard their STARTM platform.

The contract, which was signed in May 2008 with Korea Telecom (KT), comprises the provision of the telecommunication satellite, in partnership with the U.S manufacturer, Orbital.


As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space has overall responsibility for design, manufacturing and test of the Koreasat-6 satellite and ground segment, as well as Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), In-Orbit Test (IOT) support and associated services. Thales Alenia Space has procured Orbital's STAR-2 GEO platform, and has manufactured the communications payload.

Designed for 15 years lifetime, Koreasat-6 satellite has 30 active Ku-band transponders with 2.8 T launch mass, and 3.4 kW electrical power. The satellite, scheduled to be launched in 2010, will be positioned at 116 degrees East and will provide broadcasting and telecommunications services over Korea.

Source : Thales Group (Paris: HO.PA)