Arianespace Successfully Launches South Korea's KOMPSAT-7 Earth Observation Satellite

Arianespace successfully launched South Korea's KOMPSAT-7 Earth-observation satellite from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on Monday, December 1, 2025. The mission, designated Flight VV28, utilized the Vega C rocket, an operational medium-lift launch vehicle managed by Arianespace and developed under the European Space Agency (ESA). This ascent marked the sixth operational flight for the European-developed rocket, following an earlier mission anomaly in December 2022.

The 1,810-kilogram (3,990-pound) satellite, also known as Arirang-7, was engineered by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). It is positioned as the technological successor to the KOMPSAT-3A platform, with its primary directive being the provision of high-fidelity imagery to support detailed monitoring of the Korean Peninsula and address the nation's need for superior geospatial data. The mission profile targeted placing KOMPSAT-7 into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an altitude of approximately 576 kilometers, with deployment anticipated roughly 45 minutes after liftoff under nominal conditions.

KOMPSAT-7 integrates several technological advancements to enhance remote sensing capabilities. Notably, the satellite incorporates optical data transmission technology, a first for any Korean satellite, which facilitates near real-time processing of collected imagery. Furthermore, the platform is equipped with a control moment gyroscope (CMG) system, designed to enable faster and more precise target acquisition and pointing maneuvers, thereby improving responsiveness and accuracy.

The Vega C rocket, standing 115 feet tall across its four stages, represents a significant development in European rocketry. This successful launch contributed to Arianespace's 2025 manifest, which included a total of six missions across its portfolio. The Vega program has historically been vital for placing smaller payloads into precise orbits for scientific and governmental observation needs internationally. The successful return to flight for the Vega C after the December 2022 setback is a key data point for ESA and Arianespace as they manage their launch portfolio.

KARI's commitment to advanced Earth observation aligns with global trends requiring high-resolution, timely data for environmental management, disaster response, and national security planning. The transition from KOMPSAT-3A to KOMPSAT-7 signifies a progression toward greater operational autonomy and enhanced data throughput. The deployment of this asset reinforces the strategic partnership between South Korea and European launch providers in securing critical space infrastructure for sovereign capabilities.