Arianespace Successfully Orbits Telecom Satellites for Brazil, South Korea

Ariane 5 on the launchpad. Photo: ESA.

Arianespace successfully launched two telecommunications satellites on Tuesday, May 4, from the Guiana Space Center: SGDC for Visiona Tecnologia Espacial, on behalf of the Brazilian operator Telebras and the Brazilian government, and Koreasat 7 for South Korean operator KTsat.

This launch was the fourth of the year for Arianespace and the second in 2017 with the Ariane 5 heavy launcher, which also recorded its 78th successful mission in a row.

SGDC is a Brazilian government program designed to meet three main objectives: reduce the country’s digital divide by supplying high-quality internet services across all of Brazil, within the scope of a national broadband plan; provide independent and secure strategic communications services for the Brazilian armed forces and government; and provide the Brazilian space industry with key technologies so that it can play a growing role in the country’s future space programs.

Arianespace has successfully launched all 11 Brazilian telecom satellites for legacy operator Embratel, as well as Star One, a wholly-owned Embratel subsidiary.

Koreasat 7 is the third satellite launched by Arianespace for South Korean operator KTsat, following the launches of Koreasat 3 in 1999 and Koreasat 6 in 2010.

Koreasat 7 will provide video and data transmission applications, including internet access, Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV broadcasting, government communications, and connectivity to Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) networks to extend services to isolated areas.