South Korea’s space agency is reviewing a plan to exempt additional launches of its homegrown Nuri rocket from a preliminary feasibility study. Four more Nuri rocket missions are currently under consideration for the 2029-2030 period, the head of the nation’s space agency announced Wednesday.
Oh Tae-seog, Administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), confirmed during a Seoul luncheon with reporters that they are actively reviewing a waiver for preliminary feasibility studies for these additional Nuri rocket launches. He noted the necessary budget has largely been calculated, and an exemption could see the project included in the 2027 budget swiftly.
Administrator Oh stressed South Korea’s strategic shift from merely developing launch vehicles to actively operating them. This pivot is crucial as global demand for launch services is projected to soar alongside increased satellite production.
To support this vision, the South Korean government plans additional Nuri rocket launches through 2030 and aims for at least one launch annually until 2032. This sustained effort is designed to significantly enhance the rocket’s reliability and accumulate vital operational experience for the Korean space program.
Two months into his tenure, Oh Tae-seog highlighted KASA’s transition into a results-oriented phase, building on the institutional groundwork laid over the past two years by the South Korean space agency.
He declared, “Now is the time to turn policies into outcomes,” characterizing this as KASA’s critical “second phase” of development.
Organizational reform is a top priority for the Korea AeroSpace Administration. KASA has established an advisory panel comprising private-sector experts to tackle issues concerning its structure, personnel management, and its broader role in space industrial promotion, alongside initiatives to enhance its internal workplace culture.
KASA aims to cultivate a robust “new space” ecosystem by integrating advanced launch vehicle and satellite technologies with burgeoning commercial opportunities. The South Korean space agency will also intensify its collaboration with the industry to identify and resolve key bottlenecks, paving the way for its entry into the competitive commercial launch services market.
The South Korean government is simultaneously advancing upgrades to the Naro Space Center, preparing for expanded national launch activity. These enhancements will accommodate next-generation rockets and support the development of a planned lunar lander, bolstering Korea’s space exploration capabilities.
Beyond current plans, KASA is exploring the possibility of a second spaceport for the post-2035 era, anticipating the widespread adoption of reusable launch vehicles. Closer on the horizon, a dedicated launch pad at the Naro Space Center for private space firms is slated to open in 2027, further supporting the growth of South Korea’s commercial space sector.
In the aviation domain, the South Korean government aims to boost national competitiveness by diversifying from defense into the civilian sector. This includes increasing Korean participation in global aircraft development projects via strategic risk- and revenue-sharing partnerships. Efforts are also underway to advance critical aviation technologies like electrified propulsion and autonomous flight systems.
Separately, Administrator Oh also discussed the recent mission failure of South Korea’s K-RadCube cube satellite, deployed with Artemis II, which regrettably did not complete its intended mission.
Despite the communication issues, he affirmed, “While communication was not successful, the invaluable experience gained from a private South Korean company leading the entire development process of a deep-space satellite is, in itself, a significant asset for our national space endeavors.”
yeeun
