Arianespace announced its plan to launch South Korea’s KOMPSAT‑7 satellite on 28 November 2025, using their Vega C rocket. The launch will take place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 14:21 local time (17:21 UTC). The flight is expected to last about 45 minutes from liftoff to the satellite’s separation.
The KOMPSAT-7 satellite will be placed in an orbit that allows it to pass over its target areas at the same time each day, ensuring it gets regular daylight. It is part of South Korea’s Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite series, which provides high-resolution images for government and other organizations. Arianespace says this mission is part of South Korea’s plan to improve its space capabilities.
The KOMPSAT-7 satellite was built by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in Daejeon. It weighs about 2,000 kilograms. Its main job is to provide detailed images for things like mapping, monitoring land use, and tracking infrastructure. It can also be used for environmental and security planning.
VV28 is using the Vega C rocket, which is an upgraded version of Europe’s small-lift launcher. It is made for missions to low Earth and Sun-synchronous orbits. Arianespace sees this flight as a major step in bringing the rocket back to regular use, with KOMPSAT-7 being the next mission after several others carrying both government as well as commercial payloads.
The KOMPSAT-7 satellite has an improved imaging system, which will provide better details as well as cover more areas than earlier satellites. The data it collects will be used by South Korean government agencies, helping lower the need for foreign satellite data.
This launch is part of a long-term strategic partnership between Arianespace and South Korea. The country has greater plans for Earth observation and satellite imaging, and KOMPSAT-7 will play a key role in these efforts. If successful, the satellite will add another advanced imaging tool to South Korea’s collection, as the demand for detailed satellite data grows for both government and security needs.
