South Korea’s Mugunghwa-6 Satellite Set for 2010 Launch

Text of report in English by South Korean newspaper Choson Ilbo website on 25 August

KT [Korea Telecom] has signed a contract with France’s Arianespace to send its satellite Mugunghwa-6 into the Earth’s orbit.

Under the deal, Korea’s largest communications service provider will use the European firm’s Ariane 5 ECA rocket to launch the satellite in August 2010, from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana on the northern coast of South America.

Currently being constructed by French Thales Alenia Space, Mugunghwa-6 will replace Mugunghwa-3, whose mission ends in 2011, for digital satellite broadcasting. The new satellite will also be used for high-speed communication on remote mountain areas and islands including [disputed] Dokdo [Liancourt Rocks].

Originally published by Choson Ilbo website, Seoul, in English 25 Aug 08.

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