AI Semiconductors and Batteries Head to Space... Building the 'K-Space Data Center' Industrial Ecosystem

Seventeen Companies Including Rebellions, SK hynix, and LG Energy Solution Join
Discussing In-Space Demonstration and Support for COTS Validation

Domestic companies with core technologies in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, batteries, solar cells, and cooling systems are exploring opportunities to enter the space industry, taking the construction of a "space data center" as a new cue. The government plans to build a new industrial ecosystem by attracting not only existing space companies but also AI and information and communications technology (ICT) firms into the space industry supply chain.

On the 10th, the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced that it held the "9th Aerospace SOS Conference" with companies specializing in space data center technologies at the fabless AI company Rebellions.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Tae Seog Oh, Director of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), visited the booths of Korean companies participating in the Korean Pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK on the 22nd of last month, listening to their difficulties. The Asia Business Daily DB

The construction of a space data center is one of the missions in the space field for "K-Moonshot," the government's challenge-driven research and development (R&D) project. The goal is to secure core technologies for space data centers required in the AI era and to demonstrate them in actual space environments.

In particular, the plan is to secure AI semiconductors needed for data processing, as well as solar cell, battery, and cooling technologies, primarily from domestic industries, thereby establishing a supply chain that can be utilized in space.

A total of 17 companies attended the conference, including six fabless AI firms, four companies in the power sector such as solar cells and batteries, two companies in cooling technology, and five companies involved in satellite system development.

In the AI and semiconductor sector, Rebellions participated along with SK hynix, DeepX, FuriosaAI, and Mobillent. LG Energy Solution, LG Electronics, Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS Division, Hanwha Systems, Satrec Initiative, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and AP Satellite also participated.

Promoting In-Space Verification of Radiation-Hardened Semiconductors and Cooling Technologies

The companies discussed the potential for verifying radiation-hardened semiconductor technology, space-grade solar cells, cooling solutions necessary for the development of the space data center, ways for companies to participate, and the establishment of public-private cooperation frameworks.

Because space exposes technologies to strong radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations—unlike conditions on Earth—it is difficult to use standard industrial semiconductors, power units, and cooling equipment as-is. In particular, to ensure stable operation of AI semiconductors in space, radiation-hardened technology and separate performance verification are needed to protect against malfunction or damage caused by radiation.

The companies proposed that in order to encourage non-space sector firms to enter the space industry, there should be support for verifying commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, opportunities to conduct tests in extreme space environments, and the provision of in-orbit demonstration opportunities using verification satellites.

COTS is a method of using components designed for standard industrial applications as alternatives to specialized space-grade parts. While this approach has cost and procurement advantages, it requires a verification process to ensure reliable operation under space conditions, such as exposure to cosmic radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperatures.

Tae seog Oh, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), stated, "The space data center is a core growth engine for creating new industries in space. It is important to confirm the commitment of AI and ICT companies—non-space sector firms—to participate and to foster a new ecosystem for satellite development and manufacturing. We will actively reflect the ideas discussed in this conference in our strategic direction and implementation plans, and we will continue to support the expansion of AI across the entire space industry ecosystem."

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