South Korea Appoints SpaceX As Satellite Launcher Cheollian 3 In 2027

Illustration of the launch of the Cheollian 3 satellite (photo: dock. KARI)

JAKARTA SpaceX, a space company from California, was selected as the launch service provider for the Multi-Guna Korea Geostationary 3 Satellite (Cheollian 3). The satellite will launch in the second half of 2027. SpaceX has signed a joint launch service provider contract with KASA administrator Yoon Young-bin and Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) President Lee Sang-ryool. KASA did not reveal how much value the contracts they submitted. Cheollian 3 is the successor to the communication satellite launched in June 2010, namely the first generation Cheollian. The satellite will be placed at 128.2 degrees of equatorial sky to provide communication that can respond to disasters or emergencies. Kim Jin-Hee, Director General of the KASA Satellite Directorate, said that its space agency will continue to support the development of Cheollian 3 over the next few years. This satellite is expected to be a safe foundation for the country.

"We intend to advance geostationary satellite technology through the development of the Multi-Guna Korea Geostationary 3 Satellite, which will operate in geostationary orbit (GEO) and build a safe foundation for Korea," Jin-Hee said. As a third generation communication satellite, Cheollian 3 will perform an important task such as providing more stable information regarding flood disasters. This satellite will also become an emergency communication service when internet networks on land are cut off. KASA hopes that this technology can assist maritime rescue and defense activities, support safe aircraft operations, become the basis for development of geostationary satellite development, and improve national security status.