Together, KAI's aerospace and satellite expertise and Aerospacelab's vertically integrated manufacturing model will accelerate delivery of South Korea's sovereign defence constellation.
Paris, France — 15 September 2026 – 9:00AM CET — Aerospacelab and Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on K‑LEO, South Korea's planned low Earth orbit defence communications constellation.
K-LEO, a strategic initiative of the Republic of Korea, is intended to give South Korea a sovereign satellite communications network dedicated to defence and national security operations. Under the MoU, Aerospacelab and KAI intend to combine their respective capabilities to meet the programme's requirements for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.
With decades of satellite design, development, and manufacturing experience drawn from national programmes including KOMPSAT, CAS500, and 425 SAR, KAI join forces with Aerospacelab to benefit from the company’s vertically integrated approach spanning satellite platforms, payloads, subsystems, and manufacturing at constellation scale. Capabilities already validated through its selection as a key industrial prime manufacturer for IRIS², the European Union's sovereign secure connectivity constellation.
"KAI's track record across South Korea's national space programmes, combined with its aerospace manufacturing depth, makes it a natural partner for Aerospacelab," says Benoît Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab. "Together, we intend to contribute bringing a competitive K-LEO solution that pairs the performance the programme demands with the industrial capacity to deliver a full constellation on schedule."
"Aerospacelab's integrated approach to satellite technology and manufacturing complements KAI's aerospace and space systems expertise," shares a KAI’s representative. "By joining our strengths, we aim to support our national sovereign defence communications ambitions while opening new opportunities for the Korean industry in the global satellite market."
Beyond K-LEO, the MoU also establishes a framework for broader cooperation, including the joint development of advanced commercial communications satellites, integrated offerings that combine KAI's aerospace products with Aerospacelab's satellite expertise, and new international business opportunities for the South Korean industry.
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ABOUT AEROSPACELAB
Founded in 2018, Aerospacelab is redefining the satellite manufacturing industry with its vertically integrated model and scalable constellation strategy. By combining rapid satellite production with hands-on operations, the company empowers governments, businesses, and organizations with reliable and efficient technologies that enable real-time insights to drive smarter decisions on Earth and power connectivity.
ABOUT KOREA AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES
Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) is a Korean aerospace systems integrator whose activities span aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites and space launch vehicles. It designs, develops and manufactures aerospace and space systems for domestic and international customers, and plays a major role in Korea’s national satellite programmes.
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