Launch service provider International Launch Services (ILS) has secured a contract to launch Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s (KARI) Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (Arirang) 6 (KOMPSAT-6) satellite into space.

Scheduled to be launched by 2020, KOMPSAT-6 will be lifted off aboard an Angara 1.2 rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in north-western Russia.

With an estimate separated mass of more than 1.7t, KOMPSAT-6 will be equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) developed and manufactured in partnership with the Korean industry.

The satellite will also be mounted with a SAR with sub-meter resolution, which is a follow-on satellite of KOMPSAT-5.

International Launch Services sales vice-president Thomas Carroll said: “This was a challenging competition for KOMPSAT-6 as we were bidding against a very strong field of commercial launch service providers.

“ILS was selected under KARI’s extensive review process based on many factors. This confirms our position in the launch market segment as a preferred launch service provider.

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“ILS’ 23 years of commercial launch service experience at the Baikonur Cosmodrome will serve customers well as we support Angara 1.2 launch services from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.”

“This was a challenging competition for KOMPSAT-6 as we were bidding against a very strong field of commercial launch service providers."

Known as the latest Russia-made launch vehicle, the Angara 1.2 rocket has been designed and built by Khrunichev State Research and Space Production Centre (Khrunichev).

Designed to cater to the small and medium range satellite market, the rocket has the ability to launch up to 3.5t to low Earth orbit or sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

In July 2014, the Angara 1.2 light class vehicle underwent its first test flight, which was followed by the first launch of the Angara 5.1L heavy lift vehicle in December of the same year.

In June, ILS launched the Intelsat 31 satellite aboard its Proton Breeze M launch vehicle.

Image: KOMPSAT-6 satellite will be lifted off aboard an Angara 1.2 rocket. Photo: courtesy of ILS.