Establishment of the Korea Aerospace Administration to Address the New Space Era

On 27 May 2024, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) was established as a dedicated space agency. Space-related policy and oversight responsibilities previously under the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) have been transferred to the KASA, which now oversees all aspects of space policy, including exploration, industry, security and international co-operation.

This restructuring is expected to enhance the focus of public research institutions and universities on high-risk, long-term space development projects, while enabling private companies to drive commercial space development efforts. This collaborative public-private partnership is expected to form the foundation of South Korea’s future space policy.

Current Status of South Korea’s Space Industry

Though still in its early stages, South Korea’s space industry has made significant progress and is advancing through systematic development strategies. The nation currently operates the Nuri launch vehicle, capable of delivering 1.5-ton payloads to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), and is developing a smaller, solid-fuel launch vehicle for 0.5-ton SSO payloads. Hanwha Aerospace and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute are developing a next-generation launch vehicle with the goal of delivering 10-ton payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) by 2032.

Despite successfully launching its first orbital vehicle in 2013, South Korea’s sole launch facility remains the Naro Space Center; this underscores the need for infrastructure expansion. Additionally, while there is a cluster of satellite-manufacturing companies, key capabilities remain underdeveloped in unmanned/manned transport vehicles, LEO satellite communications and on-orbit services (such as satellite maintenance and space debris removal).

The South Korean Government’s Space Strategy

The South Korean government has set the long-term objective of becoming a leading global space economy by 2045. To support this objective, the space development budget will be increased to over KRW1.5 trillion, and the space fund – established through matching contributions by the government and the private sector – will be doubled. Furthermore, the government’s Space Development Promotion Basic Plan, announced by the MSIT in 2022, outlines strategic priorities for the 2023–2027 period. This plan identifies five core strategic missions, detailed as follows.

Expanding space exploration

The government aims to pursue independent space exploration initiatives, including a lunar landing by 2032 and a Mars landing by 2045. This strategy involves developing capabilities in launch vehicles, unmanned orbital vehicles, landers and transport vehicles, as well as securing foundational in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) technologies and developing preliminary human spaceflight technologies.

The next-generation launch vehicle is being developed as a critical component for lunar logistics transportation. Hanwha Aerospace is currently leading the development of the KSLV-3, a two-stage launch vehicle powered by a 100-ton engine. The KSLV-3 is designed to carry multipurpose practical satellites weighing up to 7.0 tons and to deliver a 1.8-ton class lunar lander into lunar orbit. It is slated for deployment in the lunar landing mission scheduled for 2032. Additionally, the government is actively pursuing the development of a reusable launch vehicle. Starting in 2025, the KASA will spearhead preliminary research projects focused on advancing various core technologies in this area.

Completing space transportation capabilities

South Korea plans to establish itself as an Asian space transportation hub by completing unmanned transportation capabilities by 2030 and manned transportation capabilities by 2045. This includes securing the technologies, facilities and manufacturing capabilities necessary for sustained ground-to-space movement of goods and personnel in the evolving space economy.

Creating a space industry

The government seeks to position the space industry as a national core industry, fostering a private sector-led ecosystem. Initial markets will be created through public-private collaboration, leveraging Korea’s strengths in industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, machinery, steel, information and communications technology, semiconductors and secondary batteries to lay the foundation for a robust space industry.

Satellite development will exemplify this policy direction. Key initiatives include developing satellites for various purposes – such as observation, scientific research, addressing societal challenges and enhancing public services – while fostering a private sector-driven ecosystem to utilise satellite data effectively. 

To further promote the space economy, world-class space industry clusters will be established. By 2028, three specialised clusters will be developed across the country, specialising in respective areas of expertise, as follows:

• the Satellite Innovation Center in Gyeongsangnam-do Province;
• the Launch Vehicle Technology Commercialization Center in Jeollanam-do Province; and
• the Space Talent Development Center in Daejeon city.

Establishing space security

A key objective is to enhance disaster response services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2030 through international co-operation. This includes improving capabilities in surveillance, prediction and space cybersecurity. Additional efforts focus on preparing for risks such as solar winds and space object collisions or falls, while expanding space systems to support national security.

Expanding space science

This strategy seeks to establish multidisciplinary space science research capabilities by 2030 and to lead world-class space science missions by 2040.

To achieve these strategic objectives, the government has outlined two implementation strategies, as follows. 

• Building a space economy foundation, by:
1. promoting a private sector-led space industry ecosystem;
2. supporting global market entry;
3. enhancing policies for space technology independence; and
4. establishing a public technology transfer support system.
• Securing advanced space technologies, by focusing on:
1. next-generation space propulsion systems;
2. satellite systems and services development;
3. expanding space exploration capabilities; and
4. bolstering space science research.