Jeonnam Province 'Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster' Countdown

80 Billion KRW Invested by 2031... Completion of 7 Sectors and 21 Core Tasks

Government's 110 Major National Tasks Include 'Goheung Cluster Development'... Project Gains Momentum

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has entered the countdown for the ‘Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster’ centered around the Naro Space Center in Goheung, where the ‘Nuriho’ launch takes place.

By 2031, it plans to complete 21 core tasks in 7 fields with an investment of 800 billion KRW.

In particular, the project has gained momentum as the government included the creation of a space launch vehicle industry cluster centered on Goheung in its 110 national tasks for ‘leaping to a space power and opening the era of Korea’s space age.’

The province judged that a shift to a private sector-led space development policy is urgent, and on the 14th announced plans to establish a ‘space launch vehicle industry cluster’ including ▲designation of a launch vehicle cluster and creation of a specialized industrial complex ▲construction of a comprehensive support center for private space development core infrastructure and corporate support ▲attracting the Launch Vehicle Headquarters of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

As a key task, it will propose to the government the designation of a space launch vehicle industry cluster centered on the Goheung Naro Space Center, and to create synergy effects through the concentration of launch vehicle research and industrial infrastructure, it will promote the attraction of the Launch Vehicle Headquarters of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

To concentrate space launch vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and related upstream and downstream companies, it will develop a specialized industrial complex and improve transportation infrastructure.

In the first phase, by 2024, it will develop the 1st industrial complex (306,000㎡) to build a comprehensive support center for space launch vehicle companies and attract anchor companies related to launch vehicles. It also plans to resolve corporate difficulties such as improving the curved road to the launch site.

To support private companies’ space launch vehicle development, core private space development infrastructure such as a launch vehicle assembly cleanroom and private combustion test site will be built on the private launch site within the Naro Space Center. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024, allowing private use from 2025.

A comprehensive support center for private space launch vehicle companies will also be established. It will perform integrated functions such as launch vehicle research and development, testing and evaluation, certification, corporate support, and professional manpower training.

To increase public interest in space and revitalize the local economy by attracting tourists, a space science launch vehicle theme park will be created.

Gravity experience and aviation sports simulators for space education and field experience will be built, and space culture tourism projects to expand the space base will be promoted, including scientific rocket competitions, space science education camps, and resort attraction.

Jeonnam will support diversification of space aerospace parts businesses to convert and expand excellent local material and parts companies into the aerospace field, and will undertake basic research projects on space agriculture technology to establish a system supplying food for astronauts.

Efforts will also be made to revitalize the tourism industry through civilian viewing within the Naro Space Center. Currently, the Naro Space Center is a major national facility and is not open to outsiders, but it plans to develop it as a tourism product allowing civilian viewing, similar to the Kennedy Space Center in the United States.

Once the ‘space launch vehicle industry cluster’ is established, it is expected to significantly contribute to regional economic revitalization with effects such as ▲attracting about 10 launch vehicle companies by 2031 ▲inducing production effects of 726.2 billion KRW ▲inducing added value effects of 245.1 billion KRW ▲inducing employment effects of 537 people.

Jeonnam Province also plans to promote the creation of a super-regional national space industry belt in the southern central region of the southern coast in connection with Gyeongnam Province.

Jeonnam will focus on developing the launch vehicle cluster industry, while Gyeongnam will focus on satellites and material and parts industries, aiming to lead the development of the national space industry.

Joo Sunseon, Director of Strategic Industry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “After the Nuriho launch, Jeonnam is emerging as the center of the aerospace industry,” and added, “We will foster Goheung Naro Space Center as an innovation hub for the leap to a national space power by creating a space launch vehicle industry cluster and attracting anchor launch vehicle companies.”

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