[Nuriho Launch] Securing Independent Technology... Space Becomes Korean Territory

Partial Success with 2% Shortfall in First Launch on 21st Afternoon
Significant Achievement in Securing Independent Space Transport Vehicle with Our Technology
Success in Supporting Space Industry and Fostering Ecosystem, Remaining Challenges Ahead

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] On the 21st, South Korea's indigenous space launch vehicle 'Nuriho (KSLV-2)', carrying the dream of South Korea's 'space independence', was successfully launched. However, it failed to enter the orbit with the final satellite mock-up, leading to an evaluation of 98% success.

Development of Nuriho began in 2010 with a budget of approximately 1.957 trillion KRW and was completed using 100% domestically developed technology. With this launch, South Korea demonstrated to the world its capability to send practical satellites weighing over 1 ton into space, joining the ranks of the world's top seven space powers. Securing an independent space launch vehicle plays a significant role not only in national security and improving citizens' quality of life but also in confidently participating in international space development and securing stakes. The economic impact, including the activation of the private space industry, is also considerable. However, there are many challenges. Performance must be improved promptly to secure competitiveness in the space launch vehicle market, and the 'shackles' imposed by the United States must be lifted. Voices are growing for changes in government space policy, such as establishing dedicated agencies and activating the private sector.

- What is the criterion for the world's top 7 space powers?

▲ Currently, countries possessing space launch vehicles include the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, the European Union (France), Israel, Iran, North Korea, and Ukraine, totaling 10 countries. By this standard, even if Nuriho succeeds, South Korea would be the 11th country to possess a space launch vehicle. However, Israel, Iran, North Korea, and Ukraine are criticized for effectively using intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology rather than true space launch vehicles. Furthermore, Nuriho can carry a payload of 1.5 tons to a maximum altitude of 700 km, but only six countries?the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, and the European Union?have technology capable of launching practical satellites weighing over 1 ton (medium class). With the successful launch of Nuriho, South Korea has joined the ranks of the world's top seven space powers. Additionally, South Korea is evaluated to have reached a considerable level in satellite manufacturing, having already developed large-class 2.5-ton 'Cheollian satellites' and next-generation medium-class satellites independently.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- Why is a space launch vehicle necessary?

▲ The world has entered the New Space era. It is no longer a game played only by superpowers to demonstrate national power or satisfy curiosity. The necessity to engage in space development to secure practical national interests is increasing. To protect a country's satellites and territory from asteroids and space debris coming from space, satellites must be launched for observation and removal. Moreover, the need for an independent space launch vehicle is urgent from communication, military, and economic perspectives. Countries worldwide, including the United States, are launching over 1,000 satellites annually to build next-generation satellite internet and 6G ultra-high-speed satellite communication networks. As autonomous driving technology, artificial intelligence (AI) satellites, and urban air mobility (UAM) are actively developed, the need for satellite big data utilizing Earth observation information and an independent satellite navigation system (GPS) is also increasing. South Korea plans to launch about 100 satellites, including the Korean Positioning System (KPS), by 2030. Private companies such as Hanwha Aerospace and Hancom Group are entering the satellite manufacturing, launch, and service industries.

Furthermore, space resource development and deep space exploration activities are becoming active to secure increasingly depleted underground resources and look into humanity's distant future. This is why the United States has resumed manned lunar exploration after about 50 years and China has embarked on Mars exploration. In this context, South Korea's independent space launch vehicle is significant as it allows recognition as a partner in international space development cooperation systems and secures stakes. Professor Heo Hwan-il of Chungnam National University said, "Security in space will become very important in the future. Except for South Korea, the United States, Russia, Japan, and China all have space forces," adding, "Our Air Force also has a blueprint to expand into an aerospace force by 2050, and securing autonomous space situation monitoring, communication, response capabilities, and positioning information verification through an independent space launch vehicle is essential."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- Securing independent space launch vehicle technology

▲ This was the biggest goal of Nuriho's development and was achieved with 100% domestic technology. Each of the 370,000 components was designed, manufactured, and assembled by Korean engineers. Among them, the 'three core technologies'?rocket engine, propellant tank, and payload fairing?are fundamental technologies of space launch vehicles. Even advanced space countries like China and Japan initially succeeded only by adopting foreign technologies due to the high difficulty of these technologies. The 75-ton-class engine, which emits flames at 3,300 degrees Celsius, started from the 30-ton-class prototype engine developed during the Naroho project. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) studied classic textbooks from the United States and Russia and examined old engines in overseas museums, mastering the technology and conducting experiments to succeed in engine development. A total of 33 prototypes were made, and combustion tests were repeated 184 times for 18,290 seconds. Moreover, they acquired clustering technology, which is extremely challenging, to combine four engines into one. The propellant tank was also developed with domestic technology after numerous trials and errors.

It was a demanding task to contain cryogenic liquid oxygen at minus 183 degrees Celsius in a thin aluminum special alloy about 2mm thick, enduring internal pressure six times atmospheric pressure and external forces. It required much higher precision and advanced welding skills than computer simulations, as well as excellent concentration. The payload fairing technology, the 'finishing touch' of a space launch vehicle, is an advanced technology classified as 'top secret' by space powers. It must protect the internal satellite from extreme external environments such as heat, vibration, noise, wind, and gravity, and separate at the right timing with appropriate force. KARI secured this technology after more than 200 separation tests, continuously improving and modifying it, culminating in success with the third Naroho launch in January 2013.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

- Limitations and challenges of Nuriho

▲ Currently, the Korean launch vehicle cannot enter the space launch vehicle market due to restrictions imposed by the United States. Specifically, under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and export control policies (ITAR) led by the U.S., satellites equipped on Korean launch vehicles cannot use high-performance U.S.-made components. Although President Moon Jae-in declared in March that a lunar lander would be sent by 2030 using the Korean launch vehicle, if the U.S. does not provide components, it will be impossible for KARI to manufacture the lunar lander under development. The same applies to other countries' satellites. Additionally, in terms of performance and reliability, it is still at a nascent stage. The global space market has entered a period of upheaval with private space companies like SpaceX entering. Private companies such as SpaceX are developing reusable, high-performance, high-efficiency, and eco-friendly space launch vehicles, with the cost per launch expected to drop to around 20 million USD. NASA, ESA, China, Japan, and others are developing super-large rockets for deep space exploration in preparation for lunar resource development, Mars exploration, and space solar power generation. Nuriho can only place one medium-class satellite of 1.5 tons at an altitude of 700 km. If left as is, Nuriho may remain forever 'stored in a warehouse.'

- Changing the 'space development' framework

▲ To overcome these limitations, the next launch vehicle project must be accelerated to secure market competitiveness through performance improvements. The government planned a next launch vehicle project worth about 2.02 trillion KRW, but only a 600 billion KRW additional launch vehicle development project passed the preliminary feasibility study in June this year, while the performance improvement project was deferred. Another review is scheduled after next year's presidential election. While some call for 'bold challenges' and demand technology comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9, researchers on the ground raise practical concerns and resist. Experts advise that direction and speed must be decided promptly.

There are also calls to change South Korea's space development policy paradigm at this opportunity. The limitations of the Ministry of Science and ICT's space development policy, conducted at the R&D level, are clear and need improvement. Policies change every election cycle without continuity, large projects require preliminary feasibility studies, and administrative and technical organizational conflicts are severe due to personnel changes every 1-2 years. Because budgets are injected piecemeal, both Naroho and Nuriho took 12 years each.

Ultimately, experts advise establishing specialized organizations such as a National Space Committee or Space Agency to unify planning and budgeting, gradually delegating practical tasks like manufacturing and development to the private sector, thus changing the framework. Professor Heo Hwan-il of Chungnam National University pointed out, "It took 12 years each to develop Naroho and Nuriho, and at the current stage of intensified competition with other countries, this system cannot guarantee economic feasibility at all," adding, "Short-term concentrated investment and early completion of development require changing space governance." Dr. Lee Chun-geun, honorary research fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, said, "China has about 300,000 space development personnel, and even Japan has about 10,000. South Korea's KARI has fewer than 1,000 employees, and only a few hundred in space after excluding aviation. The system must be reorganized to concentrate national capabilities and proceed boldly."

There are also calls for government-level efforts regarding the export control policies the U.S. applies to the Korean space launch vehicle. Professor Heo said, "The U.S. created this system to check latecomers, but with private companies like SpaceX advancing rapidly, there is room for South Korea," advising, "This should be resolved through international space development cooperation such as the Artemis project and Luna Gateway construction."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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