Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Completes Conceptual Design... Preliminary Design Phase Imminent

Methane-Based Reusable Design Adopted
Development of Flagship Launch Vehicle for the 2030s Enters Full Swing

The development of the next-generation launch vehicle has completed its conceptual design and is about to enter the preliminary design phase, marking the beginning of full-scale development. As the project moves beyond the simple conceptual stage and enters the actual design and implementation phase, it is being evaluated that efforts to secure a national flagship launch vehicle for the 2030s have entered full swing.

On March 18, the Korea Aerospace Administration announced that it will hold a follow-up system design review meeting (delta-SDR) for the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Development Project at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute on March 19.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Perspective view of Hyundai Rotem's reusable space launch vehicle methane engine. The Asia Business Daily DB

The Next-Generation Launch Vehicle Development Project is a national initiative that will invest a total of KRW 2.2921 trillion by 2032 to secure a flagship launch vehicle with greatly enhanced performance compared to the Nuri rocket. The goal is to achieve independent lunar lander launches, with a particular emphasis on acquiring reusable technology. Notably, in December of last year, the project direction was shifted to a "methane propellant-based reusable launch vehicle," leading to a comprehensive overhaul of the design framework.

This meeting is a follow-up procedure to the system design review held in December last year. It will serve to conduct a final inspection of the conceptual design results and determine whether to proceed to the preliminary design phase. About 100 participants, including domestic launch vehicle experts, officials from the Korea Aerospace Administration, researchers from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and representatives from Hanwha Aerospace, the prime contractor, will be in attendance.

During the meeting, the participants will comprehensively review the following: ▲ the conceptual design for system requirements and launch vehicle configuration ▲ plans for methane engine test facilities and dedicated launch pad construction ▲ development schedule and risk management strategies, among other overall aspects of the project. Through this process, the conceptual design will be finalized, and a decision will be made on whether to proceed to the preliminary design phase.

The next-generation launch vehicle will feature a methane propellant-based engine and a reusable design, aiming to reduce launch costs and shorten launch cycles simultaneously. As the global launch vehicle market shifts toward reusability, it is analyzed that the domestic space transportation system is also at a crossroads of a technological paradigm shift.

Park Jaeseong, Director of Space Transportation at the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, "The next-generation launch vehicle will be the national flagship launch vehicle responsible for Korea's space transportation in the 2030s. Through this meeting, we plan to finalize the conceptual design and enter the preliminary design phase to accelerate full-scale development."

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