Goheung-gun Ignites Full-Scale Construction of Korea's First Private Launch Site

Published 24 Aug.2023 09:24(KST)

Exemption from Preliminary Feasibility Study for Launch Vehicle Technology Commercialization Center Construction Project

Gohung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced that the project to establish a space industry cluster triangular system, including a private launch site, was finally confirmed as an exemption from the preliminary feasibility study at the National Research and Development Project Evaluation General Committee held on the 23rd.

The space industry cluster establishment project decided on this day involves investing a total budget of about 600 billion KRW to build a triangular system of space industry clusters based on the launch vehicle specialized zone (Gohung, Jeollanam-do), satellite specialized zone (Gyeongnam), and research and talent development specialized zone (Daejeon).

[Photo by Goheung-gun]

In particular, Gohung-gun secured the budget as the private launch site construction project and the launch vehicle technology commercialization center construction project, which are essential for driving the private launch vehicle industry and providing one-stop support for launch vehicle companies, were confirmed as projects exempt from the preliminary feasibility study.

The private launch site construction project plans to create a private launch site and build an assembly building near the launch site for launch vehicle and satellite assembly. Until now, private companies could not provide launch services due to the absence of a launch site, so this infrastructure is highly significant as it will be timely established to respond to the rapidly increasing private launch demand and to create a private-led space industry ecosystem.

Additionally, the launch vehicle technology commercialization center will serve as a dedicated support center that performs launch vehicle development, testing, evaluation, certification of core components, and resolves corporate difficulties. It is expected to play a major role in strengthening the business execution and development capabilities of resident companies through early establishment within the Gohung space launch vehicle national industrial complex.

Governor Gong Young-min said, “With the exemption of the preliminary feasibility study for the space industry cluster establishment project including the private launch site, the core project for advancing to a space powerhouse will be promoted rapidly,” and added, “With the concentration of launch vehicle companies, Gohung-gun will firmly establish its position as the center of the space launch vehicle industry.”