Growing Korea's 'SpaceX' with the Improved Nuri Rocket

On the afternoon of the 28th, at the Naro Space Center launch pad in Bongrae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, the test launch vehicle of the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho's engine emitted white smoke and soared into the sky. This engine test launch vehicle is designed to verify the performance of the 75-ton liquid engine used in the Korean launch vehicle 'Nuriho' and corresponds to the second stage of Nuriho, which consists of a total of three stages. The test launch vehicle is 25.8 meters long, has a maximum diameter of 2.6 meters, and weighs 52.1 tons. / Goheung = Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The government is upgrading the Korean Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II) Nuri rocket to enter the satellite launch agency service market. Measures to reduce space debris, including design standards to prevent spacecraft collisions, have also been established. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced a three-year roadmap for space development projects, which have been facing challenges due to the novel coronavirus, on the 23rd. On the same day, the government held the 34th Joint Space Development Promotion Working Committee meeting with 12 related ministries and agencies to finalize these plans.

Through this announcement, the government clearly expressed its determination to continuously push forward with the projects despite the impact of COVID-19.

First, the government will proceed with the launch of the Nuri rocket. Although the launch was originally scheduled for the second half of this year, the government is considering a timing with a higher chance of success. The first next-generation medium-sized satellite, whose launch has been delayed due to postponed consultations with Russia, the manufacturer of the launch vehicle, will be launched in the second half of this year by strengthening cooperation with Russia.

If the first launch of Nuri is successful, from 2022 onward, efforts will be made to improve the reliability and performance of Nuri, and follow-up projects to nurture specialized launch vehicle companies will begin. After a preliminary feasibility study in the second half of this year, the goal is to launch an upgraded launch vehicle by 2029. In particular, to achieve technological independence in rocket and satellite fields, the government will select 16 projects and support them with 211.5 billion KRW from next year through 2030 under the 'Space Pioneer Project.'

Plans to launch a lunar orbiter in 2022 were also announced. The lunar orbiter project completed the basic and detailed design for the lunar transfer trajectory through consultations with NASA in March.

The Korean Positioning System (KPS) is being developed with the goal of completion by 2035. After a preliminary feasibility study in the second half of this year, the project aims to start in 2022.

Starting next year, the geostationary orbit public multi-purpose communication satellite project, targeting a 2027 launch, will also commence. The Space Development Promotion Working Committee decided to push for amendments to the Space Development Promotion Act to prepare for the new space era. This includes establishing launch permit procedures to accommodate the increasing demand for private scientific rocket launches and revising regulations on space debris reduction and space object registration in response to the growing number of private satellites.

Deputy Minister Byungseon Jeong stated, "The national space development capabilities built over the past 30 years will not be shaken by COVID-19, and the government will actively support this," adding, "We ask the research and industrial sectors involved in space development to continue investing so that development capabilities are not diminished."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.