Public-Private Lunar Landing by 2030, Korean Satellite Communication Network by 2035

National Space Committee Finalizes Space Industry Promotion Strategy
Commercialization of Nuri and Development of Reusable Launch Vehicles Also Underway

The government plans to achieve the nation’s first small-scale lunar landing through public-private cooperation by 2030 and to establish an independent Korean low-Earth orbit satellite communication network by 2035. This is a medium- to long-term strategy designed to shift from government-led space development to a “New Space” system, in which the private sector leads the space industry.

On the 3rd, the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced that it had reviewed and approved the “Korea Aerospace Industry Promotion Strategy” at the 5th National Space Committee meeting, held at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, Gyeongnam Province. The government aims to become a “space and aerospace powerhouse” by achieving a 3% share of the global aerospace market by 2035, and plans to strengthen competitiveness across the board—in satellites, launch vehicles, aerospace manufacturing, and the broader space utilization industry.

Nuri No.4 Heading to Space. The Asia Business Daily DB

Public-Private Lunar Landing by 2030...Securing Industrial Competitiveness Is Key

The government, in collaboration with private companies, will develop a small 700-kg lunar lander and attempt Korea’s first lunar landing in 2030. Building on this foundation, the plan is to develop a national lunar lander and participate in the construction of a lunar base by 2032, thereby expanding Korea’s exploration capabilities.

No Kyungwon, Deputy Director of KASA, stated at a briefing on the same day, “The 2030 small lunar lander project is driven more by industrial goals than scientific exploration,” adding, “The key is to support Korean companies in accumulating the technology and experience needed to participate in international lunar exploration projects, such as those led by NASA.”

KASA intends to implement the project with a total budget of approximately 444.7 billion won, including both government and private investment. A preliminary feasibility study is currently underway.

No Kyungwon, Deputy Director of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), is briefing at the Seoul Government Complex on the afternoon of the 3rd. Screenshot of the e-briefing screen

In addition, the government plans to develop an AI-based space data center and a low-Earth orbit manufacturing platform, utilizing space as a new production hub for advanced manufacturing in areas such as semiconductors, new materials, and pharmaceuticals.

Independent Satellite Communication Network by 2035…Pursuing a ‘Korean Starlink’

The government will establish an independent low-Earth orbit satellite communication network to ensure national security, secure communications sovereignty, enable sixth-generation (6G) mobile communications, and respond to disasters. Like the U.S. company SpaceX’s Starlink, the plan is to deploy numerous communication satellites in low-Earth orbit, building national infrastructure that provides ultra-high-speed, stable communications services nationwide—including in maritime areas, aircraft, and disaster zones.

To achieve this, a satellite mass production system will be established by 2030, and the Korean low-Earth orbit satellite communication network will be completed by 2035. The deployment scale is being considered under three scenarios—128, 256, or 512 satellites—depending on demand, with the total project budget estimated between 3.9 trillion won and up to 14.2 trillion won.

Deputy Director No stated, “The low-Earth orbit satellite communication network is a core national infrastructure for national security, communications sovereignty, future 6G services, and disaster response,” and added, “We will gradually build the system through joint efforts between the government, private sector, and international partners.”

Commercializing Nuri...Toward 10 Launches Per Year with Reusable Vehicles

The government will increase the reliability of launches through repeated launches of the Nuri vehicle and develop next-generation reusable launch vehicles to establish a low-cost, high-frequency launch system.

Tae Seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), is presenting a strategy for fostering the aerospace industry at the public briefing on the development vision of the advanced industry in the Yeongnam region, held in Jinju, Gyeongnam, on the 3rd, hosted by President Jae Myung Lee. Photo by Yonhap News

The state-led Nuri advancement project will proceed through the seventh launch, after which, from the eighth launch, the system will transition to a commercial launch framework led by the private sector. Once development of next-generation reusable launch vehicles is completed in the mid-2030s, the goal is to expand commercial launch services to around 10 launches per year.

Additionally, in line with the principle of “launching our satellites with our own launch vehicles,” Korea will increase domestic launch demand, expand launch infrastructure centered on Goheung in Jeollanam-do, and pursue the construction of a second space center.

The government also plans to establish an aerospace hub centered in Sacheon, and to create a southern coastal aerospace industry belt connecting the launch hub in Goheung, the satellite hubs in Sacheon and Jinju, and the aerospace manufacturing hubs in Sacheon and Changwon.

Tae Seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), stated, “Since the strategy has been finalized by the National Space Committee, we will accelerate the implementation of related policies. The government will shift its role from developer to supporter, fostering an ecosystem where businesses and local regions lead the space industry and growing it into a new engine for Korea’s development.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.