Space Agency to Train 'Astronauts' in Mid-2030s

Yoon Young-bin: "Economic Feasibility of Next-Generation Launch Vehicles Will Be Resolved"
Lunar Lander Launch Planned for 2030, Mars Lander Launch for 2045

Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Agency, stated, "We expect to train astronauts and pursue manned launch vehicles around the mid-2030s."

On the 24th, during a pre-briefing ahead of the 3rd National Space Committee meeting on the 25th, Administrator Yoon said, "In the mid-to-long term, plans for astronaut training and manned launch vehicles are included in our long-term plans, but economic feasibility needs to be carefully considered." He added, "The privatization plan for space stations is being pursued after the 2030s, and if our country can have at least one module on a space station during that process, we could consider moving forward with it."

Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Agency, is speaking at a pre-briefing ahead of the "3rd National Space Committee" to be held on the 24th. Photo by Kim Jong-hwa

To train astronauts, a significant budget and institutional arrangements are required, especially for training in zero-gravity environments. If such facilities can be secured, a systematic approach including the establishment of an astronaut training center could be implemented to concretize the pursuit of manned launch vehicles.

Administrator Yoon said, "If we become a country that secures reusable launch vehicles, we will also be able to pursue manned launch vehicles," adding, "We need technology that can carry people to space, allow them to work there, and bring them back home."

The Korea Aerospace Agency is also working on improving the 'Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Development Project' to achieve a self-launched lunar lander by 2032 and develop economically viable national space launch vehicles (reusable launch vehicles).

Administrator Yoon explained, "SpaceX, centered on the reusable Falcon 9, currently holds 80% of the global commercial launch vehicle market, which raised concerns about the economic feasibility of next-generation launch vehicles." He added, "The changes to the project for developing reusable launch vehicles and the administrative procedures to secure the budget will be reviewed and approved at this Space Committee meeting."

He further stated, "Legal issues arising during the process of selecting private companies and jointly designing and developing with them in the next-generation launch vehicle project will gradually be resolved once the project modification plan is approved."

The core issue, including conflicts with Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), is 'economic feasibility'?whether the next-generation launch vehicle will use kerosene-based engines like Falcon 9 or methane-based engines known for higher economic efficiency. This is expected to be smoothly resolved on a broad scale.

In response to criticism that while the U.S. has been pushing for Mars exploration since the Trump administration, Korea is now pursuing lunar exploration, Administrator Yoon emphasized, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." There are mid-to-long-term exploration plans for a lunar lander launch in 2030 and a Mars lander in 2045.

He said, "From our perspective, it would be great to include Mars exploration as well, but fundamentally, lunar exploration is our priority." He added, "Through cooperation with the U.S. and the Artemis exploration program, we plan to leverage the many technologies we have learned and promote Mars exploration through international cooperation."

At the 3rd National Space Committee meeting, seven agenda items were reviewed and approved, including three strategies for 'space transportation, satellites, and space science exploration' established by the Korea Aerospace Agency, plans to improve the next-generation launch vehicle project, the development plan for the geostationary Chollian Satellite No. 5, the low Earth orbit satellite communication technology development project, and the plan to build the Korea Aerospace Agency headquarters.

Administrator Yoon said, "In the new space era, the space sector is rapidly changing both internationally and domestically." He added, "Through the National Space Committee, the Korea Aerospace Agency will listen to the opinions of private experts and related ministries and establish policies that can respond to global trends."

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