[Reading Science] Korean Reusable Rocket Targets Over 10 Launches... Reusability Era to Begin by 2035

KARI Begins Development of Core Technologies for Repeat Operation

Nondestructive Testing and AI-Based Health Management in Focus

First Flight Set for 2031, Technology Validation in 2032

Targeting Full Reusable Technology by 2035

The government has launched the development of core operational technologies for the Korean next-generation (reusable) launch vehicle, aiming to reuse a single vehicle for more than 10 launches. The key objective is not just to recover the rocket, but to establish a repeatable operational system in which artificial intelligence (AI) determines whether the launch vehicle can be reused, followed by inspection and maintenance before relaunching.

According to the aerospace industry on July 13, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute is promoting commissioned research to secure key technologies for repeat operation as part of the next-generation reusable launch vehicle development project, which has a total project budget of 2.2921 trillion won. According to the recently released request for proposals (RFP) for the commissioned research project, the research will run for approximately 30 months from July 2026 to December 2028 and aims to preemptively secure the foundational technologies for repeated operation of reusable launch vehicles.

The United States SpaceX's reusable launch vehicle 'Falcon 9', carrying our military's first reconnaissance satellite No. 1, launched in December 2023 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The research areas include: ▲ Establishing a Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system for reusable launch vehicles ▲ Non-contact nondestructive testing using laser ultrasonics ▲ Ensuring post-landing safety with autonomous robots ▲ Developing landing navigation devices and guidance algorithms ▲ Evaluating the fatigue life of composite structures ▲ Developing core technologies for methane propulsion engines. The budget per project ranges from 120 million won (for PHM) to 500 million won (for establishing methane engine test facilities). Other key technologies required for repeatable operation of reusable launch vehicles include autonomous robot-based safety (350 million won), landing navigation (430 million won), and composite structure fatigue life evaluation (420 million won).

In particular, the nondestructive testing project specifies the requirement to "derive nondestructive testing conditions based on 10 reuses." Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) refers to the technology that uses various sensors and operational data attached to the launch vehicle, analyzed by AI, to diagnose abnormalities in the vehicle and engine and to determine their reusability. Alongside nondestructive testing, which allows for the detection of internal damage without disassembling the launch vehicle, PHM is considered a core technology in repeatable operation.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute plans to apply the foundational technologies for repeatable operation of reusable launch vehicles, secured through this research, to the actual development project in phases. The next-generation reusable launch vehicle is being developed with the goal of its first flight in 2031. In 2032, a launch vehicle equipped with reusable technology will first be launched in an expendable mode to validate the core technologies. Repeated landing and recovery tests will follow, with the goal of fully securing reusable technology by 2035.

In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily, Youngmin Han, Director of the Launch Vehicle Research Center at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, said, "Currently, we are developing related technologies with the goal of 10 reuses. Because the design and operational standards, as well as the inspection system of the launch vehicle, change according to the number of reuses, we are now developing technology based on the 10-reuse target."

He added, "The core of a reusable launch vehicle is not how quickly it can be relaunched, but rather, first and foremost, ensuring the technology for safe reuse. We set our target at around 10 reuses based on the judgment that this would sufficiently lower launch costs. If inspection results show the condition is good, it may be possible to use the vehicle for more than 10 launches in actual operation."

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