Thales Alenia Space to build Korean Mugunghwa-6 satellite

[BGonaSTICK]

KT, Korea’s leading fixed-line operator, has selected Thales Alenia Space (TAS) of France to build its latest commercial satellite that will be launched in 2010. KT and TAS signed a deal at the former’s headquarters in southern Seoul for the development of the Mugunghwa-6, which will replace the currently operating Mugunghwa-3 scheduled to be shut down in late 2011.

The Mugunghwa-6, which will have a 15-year life span, will facilitate broadcasting of high-definition satellite broadcasting. KT currently operates two satellites, the Mugunghwa-3 and the Mugunghwa-5, for its satellite broadcast service. The satellites are named after the “mugunghwa,” or the Rose of Sharon, the national flower of Korea.

Source: Yonhap News Agency