Korea AeroSpace Administration

Hosting of the 2025 New Years Greeting Event- Discussion on Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Aerospace Industry Amid Intensifying Global Competition -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, held the 2025 New Years Greeting Event on Thursday, January 17, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seocho-dong, Seoul.The event was attended by KASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin, Vice Administrator of the Mission Directorates John Lee, Korea Aerospace Industries Association KAIA Chairman Kang Gu-young, Korea Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences KSAS Chairman Yoo Chang-kyung, People Power Party Representative Park Chuoog-kwon, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-soo, and around 300 participants from the aerospace industry, academia, research institutions, and government, reaffirming their commitment to a hopeful start and a new leap forward in the Year of the Blue Snake 2025.In his congratulatory speech, Administrator Yoon expressed his appreciation to the aerospace industry for its role in establishing KASA despite last years challenging domestic and international conditions. He also projected that in 2025, the aerospace industry will see an acceleration of private-sector-led growth, while emerging nations will make significant advancements, intensifying global competition.Accordingly, Administrator Yoon stated that to enhance the global competitiveness of Koreas aerospace industry, KASA plans to establish a private-sector-led aerospace economy across all areas, including the fourth launch of Nuri, launch vehicle development, next-generation aircraft development, advanced satellite development, and satellite applications. He also announced plans to develop reusable launch vehicle technology, promote the localization of aviation gas turbine engine technology, and plan the worlds first L4 space observatory project to secure independent capabilities in the field.Furthermore, he emphasized that KASA will continue expanding the aerospace sector through ongoing engagement with industry, academia, and research institutions, particularly in infrastructure, talent nurturing, and international cooperation.

The 3rd National Space Council deliberates on and approves key space policies- KASAs strategic plans for three sectors: space transportation, satellites, and space science exploration, were approved -- The review was conducted to change the plan for the next-generation launch vehicle development project -- Technology development for the new geostationary Cheollian 5 satellite and the low Earth orbit satellite communication was initiated -- The final candidate site for the location of KASA office was selected -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, announced that the 3rd National Space Council was held on Tuesday, February 25th, presided by Vice Chair Professor Bang Hyochoong of KAIST.The National Space Council is the highest decision-making body for Koreas space policy, and with the opening of KASA on May 27th last year, the position of the chair was elevated to the President.At this meeting, seven key agendas were reviewed, including three strategies for space transportation, satellite, and space science exploration in Korea, as well as plans for improvements in the next-generation launch vehicle project, development plans for the Geostationary Cheollian 5 satellite, low Earth orbit satellite communication technology development, and the plan for the construction of KASA headquarters.The three strategies for space transportation, satellites, and space science exploration were elaborated into specific implementation plans based on the "KASA Policy Directions" presented at the 1st National Space Council on May 30th last year. Through the implementation of these strategies, KASA intends to achieve the goal of becoming one of the five major space powers, as outlined in the "KASA Policy Directions" and realize the national space development vision outlined in the "The 4th Master Plan for Promotion of Space Development" 2023-2027.KASA has developed these strategies for space transportation, satellites, and space science exploration programs under the Mission Directorate, which designs and carries out actual space development missions. While specifying and developing the goals presented through existing plans and policy directions, KASA also included new missions identified through in-depth reviews of domestic and international policy and technological environments.In particular, missions that are expected to play a crucial role in achieving policy goals have been selected as "flagship projects" for focused development. These include reusable launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles in the space transportation program, ultra-high-resolution satellites and very-low Earth orbit VLEO satellites with multi-layered orbital navigation systems in the satellite program, and L4 space observatory and lunar landers in the space science exploration program.The plan to improve the next-generation launch vehicle development project will focus on actively responding to changes in both domestic and international technological environments. The plan involves administrative procedures to review changes to the project, aiming for the development of an economically viable national launch vehicle alongside a lunar lander capable of independent launches by 2032. KASA will begin administrative procedures for reviewing the plans changes.The development plan for Cheollian 5, a geostationary satellite, is a multi-agency project promoted by the Korea Meteorological Administration and KASA. It is the first domestic geostationary satellite project to be managed by a private enterprise. The project is currently open for bidding, and the goal is to develop a world-class geostationary weather and space weather satellite by 2031. Upon completion, the satellite will contribute to public safety by providing rapid and accurate observation technology for monitoring extreme weather and climate change, as well as observing space weather.The plan for the low Earth orbit satellite communication technology development project aims to launch two low Earth orbit communication satellites based on 6G standards by 2030, develop ground stations and terminal stations, and establish a pilot network for low Earth orbit satellite communication systems. The goal is to achieve self-reliance in low Earth orbit satellite communication core technologies and enhance domestic companies capabilities for the global market entry.The plan for the establishment of KASA headquarters describes the construction of the new headquarters in the Gyeongnam National Aerospace Industrial Complex Sacheon by 2030. The plan also includes securing land for clustering key national aerospace infrastructure. The final candidate location was determined through evaluations conducted by an advisory committee of experts from various fields such as urban planning, architecture, regional economics, and the aerospace industry. KASA will continue to discuss with relevant organizations for the construction of the headquarters, and plans to develop facilities for successful space industry growth and core development projects, along with improving living and working conditions through various employee support and convenience facilities, and establishing infrastructure for managing national key aerospace asset.Vice Chair Bang Hyochoong, who presided at the meeting, stated, "In order to expand the future space economy, the development of innovative technologies led by the private sector is essential," and emphasized that, "Through this strategy, the direction to nurture the private sector and secure core fundamental technologies in the long term has been clearly presented. I hope that KASA, along with other government agencies and experts from various fields, will collaborate to smoothly implement these plans."KASA Administrator Yoon commented, "In the New Space era, both internationally and domestically, the space sector is changing rapidly," and added, "KASA will listen closely to the opinions of experts and relevant ministries during the National Space Council, and based on this, we will develop policies that can respond to global trends."He also stated, "The items discussed today have been submitted to the council in this context, and we will continue to push forward with these initiatives to achieve tangible results."

KASA Expands Horizon of Global Space Cooperation to Europe- Seminar Held with ESA to Identify Collaboration Opportunities - Discussion on Various Cooperation Areas, Including Space Exploration, Solar Observation Mission, and Satellite NavigationThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA held a practical seminar with the European Space Agency ESA on January 15th at the KASA office in Sacheon to strengthen their cooperation in space at the occasion of the visit of the ESA delegation, led by Eric Morel, Director of the Strategy, Legal and External Matters. It served as a platform for the two agencies to discuss concrete measures to expand their cooperation in the space sector.Both agencies shared updates on their technologies and research in various fields, including Global Navigation Satellite System, space exploration, space weather monitoring, and Earth observation. In addition, discussions were held regarding the details of a memorandum of understanding MOU that is currently under negotiation between KASA and ESA to further solidify their cooperation.ESA is planning to develop and operate the Vigil space weather mission to Lagrange point L5, while KASA is working on the L4 solar probe. Cooperation between these two missions is expected to provide an important opportunity to deepen research on solar activity and space weather forecasting.Furthermore, design, development and system evolution of Galileo, the EUs Global Navigation Satellite System, along with the technical development of its infrastructure, are entrusted to ESA that possesses advanced high-precision navigation technologies. Meanwhile, KASA is developing the regional satellite navigation system, Korea Positioning System KPS. The collaboration such as on LEO-PNT, between the two agencies is expected to improve satellite navigation accuracy and stability, as well as enhance the mutual reinforcement and reliability of satellite navigation signals.The seminar also addressed collaboration on more efficient space activities, including deep-space communication, infrastructure development and joint utilization, Earth observation and environmental monitoring for sustainable goals, as well as space science and data analysis.ESA, as the agency responsible for overseeing Europes space exploration and research activities, consists of 23 member countries. ESA participates in various global projects related to space technology development, and has demonstrated remarkable achievements in fields such as Earth observation, navigation satellite systems, exploration missions, launch vehicle development, and space weather monitoring. The sharing of space technologies between Europe and Korea is expected to lead to a variety of collaborative opportunities.Administrator Yoon emphasized, "This seminar marks an important turning point for KASA in strengthening space cooperation with Europe and positioning Korea as a central player in international space research and development." He also added, "KASA will continue its efforts to enhance global space cooperation with ESA.

KASA Holds a Meeting with Research Institutions on Lunar Surface Exploration - Overview of research institutions related to lunar exploration and meetings with institution heads -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA Vice Administrator of Mission Directorates, John Lee, began the new year with a visit to three government-funded research institutions on Thursday, January 9, 2025: the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute KAERI, President Joo Han-gyu, the Korea institute of Fusion Energy KFE, President Oh Yeong-kook, and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources KIGAM, President Lee Pyeong-koo. During the visit, he met with the heads and researchers of the institutions.The purpose of the visits was to assess the status of research conducted at these institutions on lunar exploration and to collect opinions related to space exploration.The first stop was KAERI, a comprehensive research institute focusing on Rs support in facilitating the application of advanced technologies such as nuclear batteries for lunar exploration missions.Next, KFE, responsible for fusion energy and plasma technology development, shared updates on the state and plans for Koreas fusion technology. The discussion also included the potential use of helium-3, one of the core lunar resources, for power generation.Finally, KIGAM, which specializes in geological surveys and underground resource exploration, presented their lunar resource extraction research facilities and shared results from their gamma-ray spectrometer currently conducting missions in lunar orbit. Researchers emphasized the importance of in-situ resource utilization technologies for lunar exploration and suggested that KASA should establish policies for lunar resource exploration, creating opportunities for future space resource development technologies.John Lee, Vice Administrator of Mission Directorates of KASA, stated, "We plan to continue close communication and collaboration with key institutions responsible for space science and exploration research and development to secure independent lunar surface exploration capabilities and participate in lunar-based space economic activities."For further information, please contact the Lunar Lander Program Phone: +82-55-856-5151 of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.

KASA to Promote Private-Led Research on Reusable Launch Vehicle System Model - Kickoff Meeting for Reusable Launch Vehicle Development Held -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, headed by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, announced that it held its first meeting for preliminary study on the development of reusable launcher at 2 p.m. on January 3rd in Daejeon. KASA has set 2025 as the year to mark the beginning of private-led reusable launch vehicle development.At the first meeting of the National Space Committee held on May 30, 2024, shortly after KASAs establishment, KASA announced that it would push forward the development of reusable launch vehicles as a key policy to drastically reduce the cost of space development. Accordingly, KASA plans to develop core technology and system, and conducts studies on system development from 2025 to concretize a roadmap for the indigenous reusable launchers.KASA has recently launched two projects to select a competitive system model. The first project, initiated in 2024, focuses on research related to the mission performance and economic feasibility of reusable launch vehicles. The second project aims to select a system model based on the commercialization model of private companies. From this kickoff meeting, the Korea Association for Space Technology Promotion will lead the related meetings.This kickoff meeting was attended by seven experts from the government, research institutions, and universities, who engaged in in-`depth` discussions on the Public-Private Partnership PPP model for selecting private-sector business models, as well as the direction of the preliminary study. Additionally, KASA plans to continuously gather diverse opinions to refine the system development approach for a private-led reusable launch vehicle.Park Soon-young, Director of KASAs Reusable Launch Vehicle Program, stated, "To accelerate the development of a domestic, private-led reusable launch vehicle, it is crucial to identify business systems that align with the private companies business models and to incorporate rapid innovations from the private sector." He added, "We will develop a mutually beneficial and cooperative strategy based on consensus between the public and private sectors."For further information, please contact the Space Transportation Directorate Phone: +82-55-856-5151 of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.

KASA Holds Meeting with Satellite Development Companies - Gathering Opinions for the Korean System Engineering Handbook -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, held a meeting with domestic satellite development companies and institutions at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI, headed by President Lee Sang-ryul, in Daejeon on December 26. The meeting focused on gathering on-site feedback and expert opinions to shape the Korean System Engineering Handbook.Attended by 13 companies, including LIG Nex1, the meeting followed earlier discussions with satellite companies since the launch of KASA. It aimed to develop a system engineering handbook tailored to the domestic context, with the goal of expanding and advancing Koreas satellite industry.The System Engineering Handbook is a manual that outlines a series of processes for satellite design, development, operation, and maintenance. It will help companies to set and verify requirements for satellite development, considering various constraints such as cost and schedule.Industry representatives have pointed out that existing European and U.S. system engineering handbooks are too complex and extensive, making it difficult to directly apply them to satellite development. To address this, the Korean version will provide development guidelines and examples to make it easier for emerging companies to enter the satellite development field.Kim Jin-hee, Director-General of KASAs Satellite Directorate, stated, "Strengthening private-sector development capabilities is a key policy for expanding the space industry," and added, "With the development of the Korean System Engineering Handbook as a starting point, we will enhance the development capabilities of satellite companies and foster a private-sector-led satellite industry ecosystem through education and various support."For further information, please contact the Satellite Mission Assurance Program Phone: +82-55-856-5234 of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.