South Korea successfully sends first satellite-carrying rocket into orbit

South Korea is the latest addition to the list of countries who have successfully launched their own satellite into space. In spite of two previous failed attempts and several postponements, South Korea finally sent their 140-ton satellite-carrying rocket, KSLV-1, into orbit on Wednesday from the Naro Space Center. This comes after the satellite launch of rival country, North Korea, last month.

"After analyzing various data, the Naro rocket successfully put the science satellite into designated orbit," Science Minister Lee Ju-Ho said in a statement. "This is the success of all our people.”

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) is especially designed to collect and examine study weather data, measure radiation in space, and test how indigenous devices installed on the space probe operate in space efficiently. South Korea will use this as a test to develop more sophisticated satellites in the future.

The first stage of KSLV-1 was designed and built by Russia under an agreement between the two governments.

Almost four years ago, South Korea also launched a satellite into space, but the spacecraft was not deployed properly due to a failure in release mechanisms on the second stage. A year after that, the country attempted another launch, which was also unsuccessful because the rocket exploded just two minutes after its launch.

The recent satellite launch of South Korea comes amid growing tensions with neighbor country, North Korea, as it threatens to conduct its third nuclear test after successfully launching a long-range missile that placed a supposed satellite into orbit last December. However, the accomplishment of South Korea is a result of the country's years of effort to improve its space program and capitalize on its position as a global technology powerhouse.

You may also want to read: 

• ViaSat increases Ku-band capacity on mobile satellite network

SES, MagtiSat mark new partnership with capacity deal

Satellite Services and MagtiCom -- a mobile and telecommunication company based in Georgia -- signed a deal for a fourth transponder at the ASTRA 31.5 degrees East orbital position after MagtiSat’s first year of operations. MagtiSat is known as Georgia’s first domestic direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platform.

In order to provide high-definition (HD) channels for up to 100 popular Georgian and foreign digital TV channels, as well as 40,000 customers all throughout the country, MagtiSat will make use of four SES transponders. The operator is broadcasting in DVB-S2 standard and MPEG-4 encoding.

The orbital position of the transponders at 31.5 degrees East will deliver superior growth opportunities for Central Eastern Europe broadcasters, and can even accommodate the increasing demand for SD adn HD services in the region.

MagtiCom’s General Director Lars P. Reichelt said that the company’s goal is to provide Georgian customers with world-class satellite TV all over the country, adding that MagtiSat is now firmly established in the TV landscape of Georgia and that the company is happy with the excellent customer feedback. Georgia’s switchover to digital TV broadcasting was successful because of MagtiSat’s help.

Expressing gratitude to their first partnership, Norbert Hölzle, SES Senior Vice President, Commercial, Europe, said in a statement: “We would like to congratulate our partner MagtiCom on setting the benchmark for DTH business in the region in its successful first year of operations. MagtiCom’s expertise in delivering telecom solutions and SES’ wealth of knowledge in providing excellent satellite TV signals have proven to be vital in enabling TV audiences across Georgia to enjoy high-quality satellite television channels. We will capitalise on these strengths and continue to deliver more channels to the region in the coming years.”

You may also want to read: 

• O3b chooses Kordia to install broadband satellite CPE

Ball Aerospace clears final major design review of JPSS-1

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) spacecraft has finally been cleared in its final major design review by American spacecraft manufacturer, Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. This accomplishment signifies that the spacecraft’s development is on track for its scheduled launch on the first quarter of 2017.

Together with NASA and NOAA, Ball Aerospace administered a delta Critical Design Review (dCDR) in December 2012 on the JPSS-1 that lasted for four days. Due to the success of the spacecraft review, it can now carry on with the implementation.

The next-generation satellite will follow the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite to deliver critical environmental data and maintain the progression of weather and environmental observations.

You may also want to read: 

• Advantech Wireless awarded with $3M contract for its new series of SSPAs

Canada advances into the final stage of RADARSAT Constellation program

Officials confirmed that the expensive RADARSAT Constellation project of the Canadian government will be launching its final stage, despite the costs which have grown from $600 million to more than $1 billion. Christian Paradis, the Federal Industry Minister and the one responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), would be announcing the plans on Wednesday.

In a statement, Paradis said that the Canadian government guarantees that they have necessary tools to monitor and manage resources, assert the nation’s sovereignty, and protect the vast territory and coastal areas. He added that the first-class RADARSAT Constellation Mission keeps Canada at the cutting edge of design and operation of radar satellites.

Established in 2005, the RADARSAT project was contracted out to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to develop the program. The high-end satellites will be used for maritime surveillance, disaster management and environmental monitoring of Canada’s huge land mass, oceans and coastal approaches at least once per day, and up to four times daily in the high Arctic. It is scheduled to be launched between 2016 and 2017. Recently, MDA handed over a revised proposal to the government for the construction phase of the RADARSAT project.

“Canada has a hard-won reputation for expertise in a highly competitive global environment. Through strategic investments in R&D and space, our Government is fostering industrial innovation, promoting commercialization, creating high-quality jobs, and positioning our industry for continued growth in the global economy,” Minister Paradis added.

Officials from MDA and the Canadian Space Agency will join Christian Paradis at the company’s satellite systems office to make “a significant announcement.”

Recommended additional reading: 

• MTN signs new VSAT service contracts with luxury cruise operators