Uncommon model of the Koreasat 1 communications satellite, measuring 17.5″ in length and suspended atop a black base with engraved plate, “KoreaSat I, Built by Lockheed Martin Astro Space,” to a height of 5.5″. The small, neatly assembled model features a pair of rather lengthy three-panel solar arrays extending from main body structure with large and small antennae. In fine condition.
The Koreasat 1, also known as Mugunghwa 1, was a South Korean communications satellite launched by Delta-7925 rockets from Cape Canaveral on August 5, 1995. When one of the Delta rocket boosters failed to separate from the first stage of the spacecraft—placing it 5,000 km short of its planned GTO apogee—the Koreasat 1 had to use up 7.5 years worth of its 12-year lifetime fuel supply to make up the deficiency. As a means of increasing its lifetime, the satellite gave up North-South station-keeping operating in 'inclined mode' and managed to function for 10 years.
