Jeonnam Province Launches Full-Scale Development of 'Artificial Sun and Space Launch Vehicle' Industries

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok is taking a commemorative photo with Chairmen Moon Seung-hyun and Choi Yong-guk and committee members at the 1st Jeollanam-do Science and Technology Development Committee meeting of 2021 held in the Seo Jae-pil Room of the provincial office on the afternoon of the 30th. Photo by Jeonnam Province

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 30th that it will actively embark on creating an industrial ecosystem for artificial sun and space launch vehicle industries.

On this day, the province held the first meeting of the year for the “Jeollanam-do Science and Technology Development Committee,” which will lead the securing of future growth engines for Jeonnam through scientific and technological policy advice.

The meeting was attended by 40 members including Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeonnam, Professor Moon Seung-hyun of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Choi Yong-guk, President of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Association, Park Ki-young, Dean of Graduate School at Suncheon National University, and Professor Beom Hee-seung of Jeonnam National University College of Medicine.

This meeting served as a concrete occasion to internally and externally announce Jeonnam Province’s strong commitment to fostering the industrial ecosystem for artificial sun and space launch vehicles, which the province is prioritizing.

In his greeting, Governor Kim said, “We must unite our capabilities so that the artificial sun project, the ultimate energy that is clean, safe, and infinitely resourced, and the ‘New Space’ era led by private companies in space development, become representative industries that Jeonnam leads and passes on to future generations.” He added, “I ask for much support and advice from the Science and Technology Development Committee, composed of scientists from the Honam region, to ensure that cutting-edge technologies like artificial sun and space launch vehicles lead to industrialization.”

Following this, Professor Na Yong-su from the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Seoul National University and Director Yoon Yong-hyun of the Defense Unmanned R&D Center at Kookmin University gave invited lectures.

Professor Na explained research tasks for the commercialization of the artificial sun and the large-scale research facilities required under the theme “Strategy for Attracting Large-Scale Artificial Sun Research Facilities,” and proposed priorities for essential research facilities to establish the industrial ecosystem.

Jeonnam Province plans to create an artificial sun industrial ecosystem centered around the Naju Bitgaram Energy Valley.

It intends to prepare for the full-scale competition to attract large-scale artificial sun research facilities by leveraging strengths such as basic research and talent cultivation linked with the Korea Energy Engineering University opening in March next year, solid and stable ground suitable for precision and large-scale research facilities, excellent infrastructure including high-voltage power, the Energy Innovation Cluster, and the Energy Business Convergence Complex, which provide institutional foundations for new energy industries.

Director Yoon gave a lecture titled “Jeonnam Space Industry Promotion Plan,” explaining trends in public and private demand for low Earth orbit small satellites and emphasizing the necessity of a private space launch vehicle industrial cluster centered on the Goheung Naro Space Center.

Jeonnam Province holds the greatest potential to specialize and develop the space industry as it hosts the Naro Space Center, Korea’s only space launch base. Based on government interest and support, including President Moon Jae-in’s direct observation of the third combustion test of the first stage engine of the Nuri rocket on the 25th, Goheung is preparing to leap forward as a space city.

During discussions, participants proposed attracting anchor companies based on the marketability of small launch vehicles, core technology research and workforce development linked with Korea Energy Engineering University, and pledged full support from the Honam scientific community for the projects.

Meanwhile, the province began feasibility studies for creating industrial ecosystems for the “artificial sun” and “space launch vehicles” in February and March of this year, respectively. It plans to propose reflecting the results in government policy once the studies conclude in September.

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