A Step Closer to Becoming a Space Industry Hub... Gyeongnam Province Designated as a 'Satellite Specialized Zone'

Plan for Establishing Core Infrastructure of the Satellite Specialized Zone in Gyeongnam Space Industry Cooperation District. [Image Source=Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do has been finally designated as a satellite-specialized zone within the Space Industry Cooperation District.

The Space Industry Cooperation District is an industrial complex established to foster the space industry, aiming to strengthen private-led space development capabilities and create a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem in line with the era of private space development (New Space).

Gyeongsangnam-do announced that it was selected as a candidate site in July by the Space Development Promotion Working Committee and the Cooperation District Designation Review Committee, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and was officially designated on the 21st by the National Space Committee under the President.

It is expected that once the satellite-specialized zone is established, by 2031, it will generate production worth 446.7 billion KRW, added value of 204 billion KRW, and create employment effects for 2,316 people within the province.

According to the province, Gyeongsangnam's satellite-specialized zone will serve as a major pillar in the triangular system of space industry cooperation districts alongside Jeonnam’s launch vehicle zone and Daejeon’s research and talent development specialized zone, playing a core role as a domestic space industry hub.

The province plans to build a full-cycle support system for satellite development centered around Jinju and Sacheon areas to create an ecosystem where space companies can enhance their competitiveness.

As a key base for establishing the satellite-specialized zone, the Gyeongnam Aviation National Industrial Complex, scheduled for completion in 2024, will be utilized.

Starting in 2024, a total project cost of 515.2 billion KRW will be invested to build core infrastructure for fostering the space industry.

The ‘Korea Testing Laboratory Space Component Testing Center’ in Sangdae-dong, Jinju, will be renamed the ‘Space Environment Testing Facility’ and expanded and relocated to the Jinju district of the Aviation National Industrial Complex, with a facility size approximately ten times larger than the current one, consisting of one underground floor and three above-ground floors.

The Space Environment Testing Facility will be built as an international-level facility equipped with launch, orbit, and electromagnetic environment testing facilities and is scheduled for completion by 2028. Additionally, the so-called ‘Satellite Manufacturing Innovation Center’ is expected to be established in the Sacheon district of the Aviation National Industrial Complex by 2026.

Based on the established core infrastructure, the province explained that it will actively carry out business support projects, research and development projects, and human resource development projects to cluster and nurture space companies.

It will also implement a space specialized human resource development project to train master's and doctoral-level experts in core small satellite technologies, as well as a micro-satellite development project to encourage space companies’ participation in the space industry and support their track record acquisition.

Governor Park Wan-su stated, “With the confirmation of the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency in Sacheon and the designation of the satellite-specialized zone within the Space Industry Cooperation District, the foundation for Gyeongsangnam-do to lead the space industry has been laid.”

He added, “We will systematically develop the Space Industry Cooperation District centered on the Space Aviation Agency and actively nurture the space industry as a new growth industry for Gyeongsangnam-do. We will spare no support at the provincial level to ensure that our country can establish itself as a global leader in space.”

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