The GEO-KOMPSAT-2 program is a national program of the Korean Government to develop and operate two civilian geostationary satellites: GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and -2B.
Positioned on Ariane 5 as Flight VA246’s lower passenger, GEO-KOMPSAT-2A is designed to conduct meteorological and space weather monitoring missions (whereas GEO-KOMPSAT-2B is to carry out Earth environment monitoring and ocean monitoring missions).
Covering the Asia-Pacific region, the satellite will be stationed at the 128.2° East orbital location for a 10-year nominal life in service.
Developed by KARI at its facility in Daejeon, South-Korea, this weather satellite will be the 68th Earth observation satellite launched by Arianespace. Such missions represent 10% of the total number of satellites orbited by the launch service company.
For nearly 30 years, Arianespace and Korea’s satellite technology research centers have developed a sound relationship, with the launch of scientific microsatellites (KITSAT A & B, in 1992 et 1993) as well as the multi-mission COMS satellite (in 2010).
GEO-KOMPSAT-2A will be KARI’s second’s satellite, and the seventh for South-Korea to be lofted by Arianespace.
By entrusting Arianespace with the launch of its KOMPSAT-7 satellite, KARI confirmed the relevance of its services and solutions toward the dynamic Earth observation market as well as its capacities to help Korea fulfil its ambitions in Space.
Prior to Flight VA246, Arianespace has orbited 588th satellites, out of which 115 were launched for eight space agencies around the world (Europe, France, Italy, Sweden, U.S., India, Korea and Japan).