The Korea Aerospace Administration (Korea Space Agency) announced a shift in its policy focus from research and development to industrial growth. The agency aims to strengthen capabilities in launch vehicles, satellites, and space exploration while supporting private companies' entry into the space market as a national future industry.
On October 13, Oh Tae-seok, head of the Korea Space Agency, attended a National Assembly audit held by the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "We will make the space industry a national future industry."
Oh noted, "Since the agency's establishment in May 2024, we have worked to lay the foundation for Korea to become one of the top five space powers. We successfully completed the fifth launch of the Nuri rocket following its fourth launch last year."
Building on this success, Oh pledged to continuously enhance the country's launch vehicle capabilities. He emphasized, "Launch vehicles are not only transportation means but also key infrastructure for space sovereignty," and stated that the agency aims to increase launch reliability to 90% through repeated launches of the Nuri rocket. He added, "We will reduce launch costs through the development of next-generation launch vehicles while supporting private companies in developing small and medium-sized launch vehicles to meet demand."
Additionally, the agency plans to actively foster the satellite industry, with a goal of establishing a Korean low Earth orbit satellite communication network by 2035. Oh stated, "We will lay the groundwork for mass production of cluster satellites and support non-space semiconductor companies in entering the space market." He reiterated, "We will establish a Korean low Earth orbit satellite communication network by 2035."
Plans for lunar exploration were also discussed. Oh announced, "We will accelerate the launch of a lunar orbit communication satellite in 2029 and a small lunar lander in 2030," and noted that by 2032, the agency aims to secure independent lunar landing technology.
Oh also expressed a commitment to developing the aviation industry, stating, "We will pursue joint development of next-generation commercial aircraft alongside global players and strive to enter the global supply chain," and added that the agency will actively promote the development of hybrid vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to prepare for entry into the future air mobility market.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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