Hanwha Aerospace Begins Final Assembly of Reusable Launch Vehicle Demonstrator... Vertical Takeoff and Landing Test Planned for 2028

12.2m Demonstration Vehicle Construction
Verification of Thrust and Attitude Control Technologies
Laying the Groundwork for Reusable Next-Generation Launch Vehicles

Hanwha Aerospace announced on September 30 that it has started the final assembly of the “Reusable Technology Demonstration Vehicle” to secure reusable space launch vehicle technology.

Reusable Technology Demonstration System Configuration Plan. Provided by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

This project is led by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), with Hanwha Aerospace responsible for overall system integration. Other domestic space companies such as VitZro Nextech and Hanyang ENG are also participating.

The reusable technology demonstration vehicle will stand 12.2 meters tall and have a diameter of 1.5 meters. It is planned to be equipped with a single staged combustion cycle turbopump engine with adjustable thrust. Hanwha Aerospace and KARI plan to verify core reusable launch vehicle technologies through flight tests by 2028.

During the flight test, the goal is for the demonstration vehicle to lift off vertically, reach an altitude of 500 meters within approximately 90 seconds, and then vertically land back at a designated location. In this process, it will demonstrate technologies required for reusability, including engine thrust adjustment, attitude control, and guidance control.

Based on this demonstration, Hanwha Aerospace plans to lay the groundwork for securing first-stage reusable technology for next-generation launch vehicles scheduled for the mid-2030s.

A Hanwha Aerospace official said, “Securing reusable launch vehicle technology is a core task to strengthen competitiveness in space transportation,” adding, “We will work with KARI and our partners to secure these related technologies.”

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