# Koreasat 1

> Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q12595498](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12595498)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreasat_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/koreasat-1

## Summary  
Koreasat 1 is South Korea's first domestic communications satellite, launched on August 5, 1995. It marked a major milestone in the country's space program by enabling independent satellite-based telecommunications services. The satellite was built for KT Corporation and launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on August 5, 1995  
- COSPAR ID: 1995-041A  
- Instance of: Communications satellite  
- Launch vehicle: Delta II  
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- Aliases: Mugunghwa 1, 무궁화 1호, 무궁화위성, 무궁화 4호  
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 23639  
- Operated by KT Corporation  
- Wikipedia languages: English, Korean, Portuguese  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Koreasat 1 used for?  
A: Koreasat 1 is a communications satellite used to provide television broadcasting, data transmission, and telecommunications services across Asia. It played a key role in expanding South Korea’s satellite communication capabilities.

### Q: When was Koreasat 1 launched?  
A: Koreasat 1 was launched on August 5, 1995. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral using a Delta II rocket.

### Q: Who launched Koreasat 1?  
A: Koreasat 1 was developed for KT Corporation and launched by the United States using a Delta II expendable launch system from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## Why It Matters  
Koreasat 1 represents a pivotal moment in South Korea’s technological development and space ambitions. As the nation’s first domestically operated geostationary communications satellite, it enabled KT Corporation to deliver advanced telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout Asia. Its successful deployment signaled South Korea’s growing capacity in space technology and laid the groundwork for future national satellites like Koreasat 2 and Koreasat 3. Koreasat 1 also demonstrated how emerging nations could leverage international launch services to establish sovereign satellite infrastructure, contributing to broader discussions around space access and regional connectivity during the mid-1990s.

## Notable For  
- First South Korean communications satellite  
- Marked the beginning of South Korea’s independent use of satellite telecommunications  
- Built for KT Corporation, one of the largest telecom providers in Asia  
- Launched via Delta II, part of a well-known family of American rockets  
- Operated under multiple names including Mugunghwa 1, symbolizing national pride  

## Body  

### Overview  
Koreasat 1, also known as Mugunghwa 1, is a landmark satellite in South Korea’s history of space exploration and telecommunications. Designed primarily for commercial use, it was placed into geostationary orbit to support direct-to-home TV broadcasts, telephony, and data relay services over the Asia-Pacific region.

### Development and Ownership  
The satellite was developed for KT Corporation (formerly Korea Telecom), which remains one of South Korea’s leading telecommunications companies. Koreasat 1 represented a strategic investment in national infrastructure aimed at modernizing the country’s communication systems through satellite technology.

### Technical Specifications  
As a communications satellite, Koreasat 1 was equipped with transponders capable of handling both C-band and Ku-band signals. These frequencies allowed it to carry out various functions such as television broadcasting and internet data transfer across wide geographic areas.

### Launch Details  
- **Launch Date:** August 5, 1995  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (a retired U.S.-made expendable launch system)  
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- **Orbital Class:** Geostationary  

This mission signified South Korea’s increasing collaboration with global aerospace partners while advancing its own technical expertise.

### Operational Legacy  
Although no longer active, Koreasat 1 paved the way for subsequent generations of Korean satellites. Its success validated the feasibility of domestic satellite operations and influenced policy decisions regarding future investments in space infrastructure. It also contributed to the expansion of digital media and broadband services in the region during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report