Groundbreaking of Hanwha 'Space Hub Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Center' in Suncheon

Published 15 Feb.2024 15:05(KST)

Completed in 2025, 'Nuriho' Production and Assembly in Suncheon

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 15th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Space Hub Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Center, which will be established on the site of the Yulchon 1st Industrial Complex, in partnership with Hanwha Aerospace, a leading private space industry player in the NewSpace era.

The launch vehicle manufacturing center, confirmed to be hosted in Suncheon last April, will begin full-scale construction aiming for completion in January next year.

[Photo by Suncheon City]

Hanwha Aerospace plans to invest 50.8 billion KRW to build a forging and assembly plant for space launch vehicle manufacturing and assembly, as well as future private launch vehicle production facilities.

The launch vehicle manufacturing center, scheduled for completion in 2025, is a core facility for assembling launch vehicles by manufacturing and inspecting each of the three stages of the launch vehicle.

This is expected to contribute to the technological independence and competitiveness enhancement of the space industry in Suncheon City.

Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon said, “The Space Hub Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Center to be established will become a landmark in Suncheon, the future center of South Korea’s space launch vehicle industry, where young people and corporate talents can come and open the future. Through the establishment of this center, we hope to attract related industries to the 2 million pyeong-scale Haeryong Industrial Complex,” presenting a unique vision for this groundbreaking ceremony.

Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il stated, “This Space Hub Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Center will be South Korea’s largest private space industry infrastructure and will become a full-fledged launch vehicle production base in the space economy era. We will expand it considering not only the Nuri rocket but also new launch vehicle projects,” expressing the aspirations for the establishment of this center.

The city is advancing as a space hub city leading the NewSpace era based on growth engines such as the confirmation of the forging and assembly plant last year, selection as one of the Glocal 30 specialized universities in the space and aviation fields, and the enactment of the “Suncheon City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of the Aerospace Industry.”

Meanwhile, following the 1st Space Expert Forum held in June last year, the city plans to hold the “2nd Space Forum” in April, aimed at fostering the Suncheon-type space industry with participation from experts in various fields and citizens.