MDA Space and Hanwha Systems Align on Korea’s K-LEO Military Constellation Vision

MDA Space and Hanwha Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration on South Korea’s planned sovereign Low Earth Orbit (K-LEO) military satellite constellation, an initiative central to the country’s evolving national defense architecture.

Announced from Brampton, Canada, and Gumi-si, Republic of Korea, the agreement brings together two established defense-space players to assess how next-generation, software-defined satellite technologies could underpin Korea’s future military space infrastructure. Under the MOU, the companies will evaluate the use of MDA Space’s AURORA™ software-defined digital satellite platform in support of Hanwha’s role within the K-LEO program.

The K-LEO constellation is a flagship national defense initiative aimed at strengthening South Korea’s sovereign space capabilities, with a focus on secure, resilient communications and data services for military and national security operations. As regional security dynamics intensify and space becomes an increasingly contested domain, Seoul has prioritized indigenous, scalable space systems that can adapt rapidly to evolving mission demands.

MDA Space’s AURORA platform is designed around flexibility and reconfigurability, allowing satellite missions to be updated and optimized through software rather than hardware modifications. Through this partnership, MDA Space and Hanwha will assess how such an architecture could enhance operational efficiency, resilience, and long-term scalability for Korea’s defense constellation.

“We are honored to partner with Hanwha in support of Korea’s sovereign K-LEO defense constellation,” said Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space. “This collaboration reflects growing global confidence in AURORA’s secure, dual-use, software-defined satellite technology to deliver the flexibility, performance, and resilience required for mission-critical defense networks.”

From Hanwha’s perspective, the MOU represents a strategic step toward expanding Korea’s defense space ecosystem through selective international collaboration. “This agreement marks an important first step in exploring cooperation with a global partner as we advance Korea’s defense space capabilities,” said Jae-il Son, CEO of Hanwha Systems. “We will continue to assess next-generation satellite solutions capable of meeting evolving operational requirements.”

While the agreement does not yet define the scope or structure of a future program, it underscores a broader trend: defense ministries are increasingly prioritizing software-defined, modular satellite systems that can be upgraded over time, reduce lifecycle risk, and maintain technological relevance in a rapidly changing threat environment.

For MDA Space, the MOU reinforces AURORA’s positioning as a globally exportable platform for sovereign and allied defense constellations. For Hanwha and South Korea, it signals continued momentum toward a more autonomous, space-enabled defense posture, one designed for resilience, adaptability, and strategic independence.