Image: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off Koreasat-5A satellite into space. Photo: courtesy of Space Exploration Technologies.

SpaceX has launched the Koreasat-5A communications satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.

Around 36min after lift-off, the satellite was delivered into its planned orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Following stage separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed back on Earth on a drone-ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The latest launch follows the successful landing of the first stage of Falcon 9 rocket that was used to deploy the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite into orbit earlier this month.

“The satellite is expected to provide direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast, broadband and backhaul services with its Ku-band capacity.”

The Koreasat-5A has been manufactured by Thales Alenia Space and will be operated by South Korean satellite service provider KT SAT.

From its 113°E orbital position, the satellite is expected to provide direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast, broadband and backhaul services with its Ku-band capacity.

The Koreasat-5A is equipped with 12 Ku-band transponders and 24 Ku-band transponders.

It will function as a substitute to Koreasat-5 and help KT SAT to expand its coverage across Asia and the Middle East.

Koreasat-5A is also anticipated to provide maritime coverage in the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the East China Sea.

Furthermore, the satellite’s four extended Ku-band steerable transponders will enable KT SAT to offer commercial DTH broadcasting services in North Asia by the end of this year.