Thale's contributed second Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite of Korea 425 Project constellation was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Thales Alenia Space's contributes to this program cooperating with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC), for the Korean Agency for Defence and Development (ADD) as the prime developer.

The company's contribution extends to the supply of their high-performance Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) that utilizes an innovative antenna consisting of a large deployable reflector with 24 deployable petals and an active feed array. Another significant part of their contribution is the acquisition, storage, and data retransmission system on the ground. The high agility of the “dancing satellite” is guarantee by the innovative Attitute and Orbit Control System, also provided by Thales Alenia Space. These advanced technologies enable high-performance observation and surveillance capabilities, critical to the success of the program.

“I am delighted with the successful launch of the second satellite of Korea 425 Project constellation, confirming Thales Alenia Space’s long-standing expertise in the design, development and construction of Earth observation satellites,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Executive Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “We certainly remain focused on the important stages of the program planned for the coming months, already thinking about the launch of the third and fourth satellites, demonstrating our constant commitment to excellence and the desire to exploit the unlimited potential that awaits us.”

Thales Alenia Space’s involvement in the 425 Project strengthens its fruitful collaboration with South Korea for space programs, including the KOMPSAT-5 observation project, the Koreasat family of telecommunication satellites, GEO-KOMPSAT-2, and KASS satellite navigation system, that was certified by national authorities and entered operational service recently.

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