The Ministry of Science and ICT and the satellite arm of KT Corporation announced that the launch of the Mugunghwa-5A satellite, also known as Koreasat-5A, was carried out successfully at 3:34 p.m. on Monday from the U.S. state of Florida.
 
With the latest launch, South Korea now has a total of five communications satellites in geostationary orbit, including the Koreasat 5, 6 and 7 and the Chollian.
 
A satellite in geostationary orbit circles around 35-thousand-786 kilometers above the Earth's equator. Because it follows the direction of the Earth's rotation, the satellite appears not to be moving. As a result, a single satellite can be used to provide communication and broadcasting services around the clock.
 
The Koreasat-5A will support the Koreasat 5 whose mission will conclude in 2021, and will also provide communication and broadcasting services to not only Japan and Southeast Asian nations but also to some parts of the Middle East.
 
Thales Alenia Space of France led the production of the Koreasat-5A while its launch was carried out by SpaceX of the U.S.