With restrictions lifted, South Korea launches $ 13 billion space energy system

SEOUL – South Korea has launched a working group to further develop space capabilities for its military, following US approval earlier this year to lift a restriction on the country’s missile production program.

The Deputy Head of Administration of the Defense Acquisition Program, who made the announcement on August 19, will lead the team of key personnel from the Ministry of National Defense, joint cabinet chiefs, l ‘Defense Development Agency and other government organizations.

“The working group will develop a master plan, in cooperation with related organizations and industries, to develop regulations, technologies, industries, facilities and infrastructure in question,” DAPA said in a statement.

A week earlier, the agency approved a plan to invest about $ 13 billion over the next decade to help local industries develop technologies for military satellites. To this end, the Defense Development Agency decided to transfer basic satellite technologies to local defense contractors in preparation for the mass production of military satellites.

“Space programs can be further developed through active and organic cooperation between government agencies to meet the various demands of defense, science and technology and industry,” DAPA deputy commissioner Seo Hyung-jin told reporters. “In this regard, the space working group will play an active role in boosting the space industry in a medium- and long-term roadmap.”

The effort to strengthen its space defense capability comes as the country saw the limits of its rocket development removed in May. U.S. President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in agreed to end a 42-year-old bilateral missile directive that restricted Seoul’s ballistic missile range to 800 kilometers.

Now South Korea is in a position to develop more powerful rocket engines and catch up in the commercial space sector.

Commercial space projects in South Korea have made tangible progress as the country launched its three-stage Nuri rocket of its own production, a $ 1.8 billion project designed to put a 1.5-satellite satellite tons in orbit about 600-800 kilometers above Earth this year.

The launch of the Nuri rocket, also known as KSLV-2, would be a major breakthrough on the two-stage Naro spacecraft built with national and Russian technology. The Naro suffered delays and two failed launches before a successful flight in 2013 brought a 100-kilogram (221-pound) search satellite into space.

According to a space development roadmap prepared by the National Space Committee, South Korea would launch 110 dual-use satellites with the goal of powering the national satellite market and meeting demand, it reported. Science and ICT Minister Lim Hye-sook told reporters on 9 June.

Among the 110 small satellites are reconnaissance versions for military purposes; communications satellites to test 6G broadband internet; and observation satellites to monitor space-time.

“The space industry is a cutting-edge industry based on intelligence, but also crucial to national strategy in terms of national security and public safety,” Lim said.

Hanwha, which was recently ranked as the 28th largest defense company in the world by Defense News, is the most active national player in the expanding space market. Its three business defense and aerospace weapons – Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Corp. and Hanwha Systems – have developed space business, and the company’s so-called Space Hub working group was formed under the wing of Hanwha Aerospace in March.

“The Space Hub will orchestrate research, development and investment in a wide range of commercial areas, including space launch vehicles, satellite communications, Earth observation (EO) and renewable energy,” the conglomerate said in a statement . “These efforts will play a key role in helping Hanwha take the industry to new levels as a world leader in space.”

In a key step towards expanding its space business, Hanwha Aerospace acquired a 30% stake in Satrec Initiative, a local company recognized for the manufacture of high-end, small and medium-sized satellite systems for Earth observation. In particular, Satrec is developing a 700-kilogram Earth mapping satellite called SpaceEye-T. It is designed to observe the Earth and provide images with a resolution of up to 30 centimeters per pixel, with the goal of launching the satellite in early 2024.

Hanwha Aerospace is also involved in the development of liquid engines for the Korean Space Launch Vehicle, or KSLV, and other components such as turbo pumps, valves and thrust vector control systems.

Through a state-funded transfer of technology from the state-funded Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the company plans to develop laser inter-satellite links. The company plans to apply the technology to a constellation of 2,000 satellites it is building for the deployment of Earth’s low orbit by 2030.

Known as a manufacturer of missiles and ammunition, Hanwha Corp. is willing to develop a solid fuel propulsion system as it has only been able to produce liquid fuel systems. In July 2020, the South Korean government received US consent to use the technology in space launch vehicles. This fuel offers greater mobility for missiles and rockets, but Washington had previously imposed restrictions on the use of solid propellant in Seoul out of concern that it could lead to a regional arms race.

“With the removal of restrictions on rocket range and solid fuel, we are no longer limited to developing a solid fuel propulsion system,” a Hanwha official told Defense News on condition of anonymity due of the sensitivity to discuss missile technology. “However, there has not yet been any requirement for solid fuel rockets for the military. We believe that the space defense program is just the beginning and that it would take time to materialize. “

Hanwha Systems is involved in a state project to build high-resolution surveillance satellites, which would have civilian and military applications capable of controlling North Korea and neighboring countries in near real time. The company focuses on the production of small low-orbit satellites weighing less than 100 kilograms.

The fact that the satellites are light allows them to be loaded more into a projectile and helps create a cluster of satellites that can be connected to provide an integrated communication system that can exchange observational information, according to the company.

In its latest move to improve space development capacity, Hanwha Systems invested $ 300 million in acquiring an 8.81% stake in OneWeb, a low-orbit Earth broadband company based in London. , England and the US state of Virginia.

Meanwhile, Korea Aerospace Industries (ranked 57th by Defense News) has pledged to invest $ 880 million over the next five years to expand its space business, including satellite production. The company expects to launch a ground station and a satellite imaging service in a couple of years.

KAI established a partnership with the Korea Advanced Institute and Science and Technology to build a space research center, where engineers will carry out projects on satellite software, spacecraft and other mobility vehicles.

Korean Air, the country’s flag carrier, is working on a military project designed to develop an orbital launch vehicle using a Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

“The development of projectiles launched into the air, unaffected by weather and geographic requirements, is essential to attract the rapid demand for small satellite launches around the world,” the company said in a statement.