[After SpaceX, K-Space②] "We Aim to Be the Company That Succeeds at the Final Stage of Space Development"

Jaeho Lee, CEO of Unmanned Exploration Research Institute

"Lunar Exploration Rovers Are the First Tool of the Space Resource Economy"

Accelerating Space Heritage in Line with the 2030 Lunar Landing Policy

Editor's NoteSince SpaceX, the competitive standards of the space industry have shifted. Through interviews with major domestic space companies, The Asia Business Daily highlights both the opportunities and challenges faced by Korean space companies in the increasingly fierce global space industry competition following recent IPOs.

Jaeho Lee, CEO of the Unmanned Exploration Research Institute, is smiling brightly after an interview with The Asia Business Daily at his office in Seongsu-dong. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

The goal of the Unmanned Exploration Research Institute is not to be the first company to reach the Moon. Rather, it aims for the final stage of space development. The rover operating on the lunar surface is the company’s flagship product. While launch vehicles have opened the path into space and satellites have created markets for communications and observation, the company determined that the next step requires tools capable of moving on the lunar surface to explore terrain and resources, forming the basis for its current business structure.

The company is not merely focused on building rovers. The Unmanned Exploration Research Institute’s long-term objective is lunar resource development. This may sound like a dream. For now, the company is concentrating on sending small rovers into space to build a track record of operating in real space environments—in other words, accumulating space heritage. The plan is to connect this experience to autonomous driving, resource exploration, and ultimately, resource retrieval.

◇ Lunar rover as the first tool of the resource economy = In his Seongsu-dong office, Jaeho Lee, CEO of the Unmanned Exploration Research Institute, expressed optimism that the SpaceX effect—namely falling launch costs and the possibility of lunar logistics—could pave the way for a market that utilizes lunar and planetary resources.

The initial stage Lee envisions involves rovers traveling across the lunar surface to assess both terrain and the potential for resources. Afterward, local resource utilization and refining infrastructure would be established, and the final stage would involve actual resource retrieval. Once that happens, Lee believes an economy linking Earth and the Moon will emerge.

Lee stated, "I think the economy between the Earth and the Moon truly begins when we retrieve and bring valuable resources back to Earth." The Unmanned Exploration Research Institute’s goal is to become the first tool responsible for mobility and exploration in this process.

Resource retrieval is a long-term challenge. What the Institute considers most important right now is building a record of operating equipment in the actual space environment. Ground tests alone are not enough to fully demonstrate technical reliability; flight experience is critical for advancing to the next mission.

Lee plans first to validate components and systems in orbit, then to use that experience to develop technologies capable of withstanding lunar dust, radiation, and extreme temperatures.

The government's planned public–private partnership for a small lunar lander by 2030 also presents an opportunity. The Unmanned Exploration Research Institute is preparing rover specifications and related technologies to align with the government’s lunar landing plans. Lee believes securing ample verification experience in advance is necessary for participating in the national mission.

Jaeho Lee, CEO of the Autonomous Exploration Research Institute, is looking at the rover. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

◇ 'Small and Fast' Strategy Distinct from Large Corporations = Major companies such as Hyundai Motor Group are also researching lunar surface mobility. However, the Unmanned Exploration Research Institute is targeting a different market. While large enterprises have their sights set on developing large vehicles that humans can ride in the long term, the Institute is focused on establishing its heritage first with small, lightweight, mission-specialized rovers.

Lee explained that there is a realm for startups that is not economically viable for Hyundai to handle directly. Considering Korea’s limited resources, the plan is to launch small rovers first, and gradually increase the size and capabilities as missions and the market grow. Rather than compete head-to-head with large corporations on equivalent products, the Institute’s strategy is to enter the early lunar exploration market ahead of them.

The development phases envisaged by Lee are clear: first, build a lunar rover capable of landing and moving across the Moon; next, equip it with AI-powered autonomous driving and resource exploration; and finally, move on to actual resource retrieval.

He said, "In 10 years, we’ll be preoccupied with the challenge of resource retrieval." His conviction was evident—he fully expects the Institute’s rovers to be traversing the Moon by then.

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