Arianespace Secures Ariane 6 Mission for KT SAT High-Throughput Satellite Delivering Hundreds of Gbps Across Asia-Pacific

Arianespace Secures Ariane 6 Mission for KT SAT High-Throughput Satellite Delivering Hundreds of Gbps Across Asia-Pacific

(IN BRIEF) Arianespace has been selected by U.S. satellite manufacturer AscendArc to launch KOREASAT 9, a next-generation high-throughput telecommunications satellite being built for KT SAT, aboard an Ariane 6 rideshare mission in the second half of 2028. The mission will depart from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and place the spacecraft into geostationary transfer orbit, after which KOREASAT 9 will use an all-electric propulsion system to reach its operational geostationary position. The satellite is expected to provide hundreds of Gbps of Ka-band capacity, expanding KT SAT’s ability to deliver affordable, high-performance broadband services across underserved communities in the Asia-Pacific region. The launch will mark AscendArc’s inaugural flight and will use Arianespace’s Multiple Launch System, which is designed to provide flexible rideshare access to geostationary orbit. David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, highlighted the company’s GEO launch experience, while Chris McLain of AscendArc and Kevin Choi of KT SAT pointed to the mission’s role in improving satellite economics and strengthening next-generation regional connectivity.

(PRESS RELEASE) ÉVRY-COURCOURONNES, 11-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Arianespace has been selected by U.S. satellite manufacturer AscendArc to launch KOREASAT 9, the next-generation high-throughput telecommunications satellite being built for KT SAT, aboard an Ariane 6 mission in the second half of 2028.

The satellite will be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) on an Ariane 6 rideshare mission from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Once separated from the launcher, KOREASAT 9 will use its all-electric propulsion system to reach its final operating position in geostationary orbit.

The mission will mark AscendArc’s inaugural flight and is intended to support KT SAT’s expansion of high-capacity broadband services across the Asia-Pacific region.

KOREASAT 9 to expand KT SAT connectivity capacity

KOREASAT 9 is being designed and manufactured by AscendArc as a new geostationary high-throughput satellite for KT SAT.

Once operational, the spacecraft is expected to deliver hundreds of Gbps of Ka-band capacity, strengthening KT SAT’s ability to meet increasing demand for high-performance satellite connectivity.

The satellite is intended in particular to expand affordable broadband availability in underserved communities across the Asia-Pacific region.

KT SAT is investing in next-generation high-throughput satellite, multi-orbit and space-based connectivity technologies as part of its long-term strategy to broaden digital access and increase network capacity.

Ariane 6 to place satellite into geostationary transfer orbit

Ariane 6 will inject KOREASAT 9 into geostationary transfer orbit, from which the satellite will continue its journey independently using electric propulsion.

The spacecraft’s all-electric propulsion system will raise it from GTO to its operational position in the geostationary arc.

AscendArc selected Arianespace in part because of Ariane 6’s ability to accommodate GTO missions and the geographical advantages offered by Europe’s launch base in French Guiana.

The near-equatorial location of the spaceport provides favourable conditions for missions targeting geostationary orbit.

Mission will use Ariane 6 rideshare capability

The KOREASAT 9 launch is planned as an Ariane 6 rideshare mission, using Arianespace’s new Multiple Launch System.

The architecture is designed to provide greater flexibility in accommodating different spacecraft and mission profiles on the same launch.

Arianespace said the system is particularly well suited to AscendArc’s requirements and demonstrates Ariane 6’s ability to provide flexible access to geostationary orbit for a broad range of satellite sizes and configurations.

David Cavaillolès highlights decades of GEO launch experience

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said the company was honoured to be selected for AscendArc’s first mission.

He said KOREASAT 9 demonstrates the flexibility of the Ariane 6 platform and its Multiple Launch System for satellites requiring access to geostationary transfer orbit.

Cavaillolès also highlighted Arianespace’s long history serving the GEO satellite market and said the company intends to apply that experience to AscendArc’s inaugural launch programme.

AscendArc targets lower-cost high-throughput GEO satellites

Based in Beaverton, Oregon, AscendArc specialises in designing and manufacturing lower-cost, high-throughput small satellites operating from geosynchronous orbit.

Founded in 2023, the company says it has redesigned elements of satellite development and launch integration to reduce costs while significantly increasing throughput capability.

KOREASAT 9 will be the first AscendArc-built satellite to reach orbit.

Chris McLain, CEO of AscendArc, said the agreement represents an important step toward a new generation of geosynchronous satellites with improved economics for operators and customers.

He also highlighted KT SAT’s role in supporting the programme and Arianespace’s selection as launch partner.

KT SAT advances next-generation satellite programme

Kevin Choi, CEO of KT SAT, said demand for high-capacity satellite communications continues to increase across Asia-Pacific.

He described the KOREASAT 9 launch agreement as an important milestone in KT SAT’s next-generation satellite programme.

Through its partnerships with AscendArc and Arianespace, KT SAT plans to expand reliable, high-performance connectivity for businesses and communities throughout the region.

KT SAT operates Korea’s own communications satellite fleet

KT SAT is a leading satellite communications operator in Korea and the country’s only satellite service provider operating its own communications satellites.

The company provides connectivity throughout the Asia-Pacific region using a combination of satellite capacity, ground infrastructure and network operations.

Its long-term growth strategy includes investment in high-throughput satellites, multi-orbit architectures and space-based connectivity services.

KOREASAT 9 will add new capacity to this wider network and help support growing broadband requirements.

Ka-band capacity targets underserved communities

The planned satellite is expected to deliver several hundred gigabits per second of throughput in the Ka-band, a frequency range widely used for high-capacity satellite broadband applications.

The additional capacity is intended to strengthen internet and communications access in areas where terrestrial infrastructure may be limited or uneconomic to deploy.

By combining high-throughput technology with a geostationary platform, KT SAT aims to deliver wide-area coverage while increasing the amount of data capacity available across its network.

Mission broadens Ariane 6 commercial portfolio

The KOREASAT 9 agreement adds another international telecommunications mission to the growing Ariane 6 commercial manifest.

The launcher is designed to support a range of mission types, including geostationary satellites, low-Earth-orbit constellations, institutional spacecraft and rideshare payloads.

Arianespace sees flexible missions such as KOREASAT 9 as part of Ariane 6’s role in serving both European strategic requirements and international commercial customers.

The 2028 mission will also extend Arianespace’s commercial presence in the Asia-Pacific satellite communications market.

About AscendArc

Founded in 2023, AscendArc is dedicated to driving the affordability of internet and communications access from geosynchronous orbit.  The company has fundamentally re-designed how to build and launch a satellite, allowing for a dramatic decrease in cost while also exponentially increasing its throughput performance.

About KT SAT

KT SAT is Korea’s leading satellite communications operator and the only satellite service provider in Korea operating its own communications satellites. The company delivers connectivity solutions across the Asia-Pacific region through its satellite fleet, ground infrastructure, and network operations capabilities. As part of its long-term growth strategy, KT SAT is investing in next-generation high-throughput satellite (HTS), multi-orbit, and space-based connectivity solutions to expand digital access and support growing demand for broadband services across the region.

Media Contacts:

Arianespace:  Julie Lenoir [j.lenoir@arianespace.com], Juliette Poisson [juliette.poisson@ariane.group]

AscendArc:  Silvia Delgado [silvia@ascendarc.com]

KTSAT:  Eunwoo Kim [eunwoo.kim@kt.com]

SOURCE: ArianeSpace