"Difficulties Expected in Sustaining Launch Vehicle Business After Sixth Nuriho Launch"

Concerns Raised by Companies at Korea Aerospace Administration's Meeting on Nuriho Project

Concerns have been raised that if there is a gap in the launch vehicle business after the sixth launch of the Nuriho in 2027, it will become difficult to maintain specialized personnel, facilities, and equipment, and that the accumulated technology and know-how could be lost.

On May 29, the Korea Aerospace Administration listened to these concerns during a meeting with companies participating in the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project (Nuriho Project), held to discuss ways to advance the launch vehicle business. The agency also announced plans to prepare future policy support measures.

The first and second stage rockets of Nuriho No. 4 are being assembled at the Naro Space Center assembly building. The first stage assembly is on the left, and the second stage assembly is on the right. Provided by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The meeting was attended by Hanwha Aerospace, which is responsible for system integration in the Nuriho project, as well as 11 other companies in charge of engines, structures, guidance and control, and other components. The participants shared the progress of the Nuriho project, discussed the Korea Aerospace Administration's plans for the launch vehicle business, and exchanged opinions on fostering the launch vehicle industry.

The participating companies expressed concerns about the difficulties in maintaining specialized personnel, facilities, and equipment, as well as the potential loss of accumulated technology and know-how, due to a possible gap in the launch vehicle business after the sixth Nuriho launch. Some voiced the opinion that without consistent launch demand, the very idea of a private-sector-led space industry would become meaningless.

To address these issues, the companies proposed support measures such as providing public launch demand information to secure follow-up launch orders and signing long-term launch contracts. There were also suggestions that the Nuriho system integrator and participating companies should work together to develop practical cost reduction measures and establish joint response strategies.

In 2023, South Korea succeeded in the third launch of the Nuriho, becoming the seventh country in the world capable of launching satellites with its own technology and is now recognized as having independent launch capabilities. The fourth Nuriho launch is scheduled for November, and the fifth and sixth launches are planned for 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Han Changheon, Director of the Aerospace Industry Bureau at the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "We are aware that about 100 companies participating in the Nuriho project are experiencing difficulties due to reduced production volumes. We will carefully review the opinions shared at this meeting to prepare policy support measures, and we will work closely with the industry to ensure the Nuriho project can continue in a stable and sustainable manner."

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