Satellite Testing Standards Tailored for Nuriho: Development of "Korean Environmental Testing Standard for Satellites" Begins
by Kim Jonghwa
Published 28 Jan.2026 14:00(KST)
Moving Beyond NASA and ESA Standards
Reducing Both Excessive and Insufficient Testing Burdens
The development of a Korean environmental testing standard is being actively pursued to ensure that domestically produced satellites can meet testing criteria optimized for the Nuriho, Korea’s homegrown launch vehicle. The goal is to overhaul the existing practice of relying on foreign standards for satellite development and testing, thereby simultaneously enhancing satellite reliability and development efficiency.
On January 28, the Korea Aerospace Administration held a kick-off meeting for the development of the “Korean Environmental Testing Standard for Satellites” at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Daejeon, officially beginning work to establish testing criteria tailored to domestic launch vehicles and satellite environments.
The Korean Launch Vehicle Nuriho, standing by for launch after the completion of the erection work for the fourth launch at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘Too little is risky, too much is costly... Heavy burden on the field
The environmental testing standard for satellites is a core criterion that verifies whether a satellite can operate normally not only under the intense vibrations and shocks experienced during launch, but also in the harsh conditions of space, such as vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Until now, domestic satellite development companies have adapted testing standards from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). However, directly applying these foreign standards often leads to mismatches with the actual launch environment. If the tests are insufficient, there is a higher risk of component damage or functional failure. Conversely, if the tests are excessive, the need for structural reinforcement and high-reliability components repeatedly drives up development costs and satellite weight.
Reflecting Nuriho launch data... Presenting realistic testing levels
To overcome these limitations, the Korea Aerospace Administration plans to develop a Korean environmental testing standard that reflects the launch environment of domestic launch vehicles and the characteristics of Korean satellites. In particular, the agency intends to optimize testing conditions based on Nuriho launch data and present practical testing levels that make use of domestic testing facilities.
To this end, ten experts from industry, academia, and research institutes in the satellite and launch vehicle sectors have been appointed as a technical advisory panel. Through close cooperation with launch vehicle development organizations, the agency will work to enhance technical review and the completeness of the standard by the end of the year.
Kim Jinhee, Director of the Satellite Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, “Developing the Korean environmental testing standard for satellites is a foundational effort to strengthen the satellite development capabilities of companies seeking to use domestic launch vehicles. Along with the Korean Systems Engineering Handbook established last year, it will serve as a key driver for activating the space industry ecosystem.”
The government expects that the development of this standard will strengthen the linkage between domestically produced launch vehicles and satellites, while simultaneously reducing both the cost burden and technical risks faced by private satellite development companies.
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