[2026 Parliamentary Audit] KASA: "We Will Raise Nuri Launch Reliability to More Than 90%"

Emphasizes building reliability through repeated launches at parliamentary audit
Plans to build an independent low Earth orbit satellite communications network by 2035

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) has set a goal of raising the launch reliability of Nuri, South Korea's homegrown launch vehicle, to more than 90%. Its plan is to improve the vehicle's stability through repeated launches and shift the focus of space policy from research and development to industry development.

Tae seog Oh, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, said in opening remarks at a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on October 13, "We will raise launch reliability, currently at around 80%, to more than 90% through repeated launches."

Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) chief Tae seog Oh delivers opening remarks during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 13th. Screenshot from National Assembly TV.

Nuri completed its fifth launch on October 7, bringing its record to four successful launches out of five. KASA plans to build reliability through repeated launches and develop a launch services industry led by the private sector.

"We will shift the focus of space policy from research and development to industry development and create a robust space and aerospace industry ecosystem led by the private sector," Oh said.

KASA will also pursue the development of a next-generation launch vehicle and support private-sector small and medium-sized launch vehicles. Its plan is to develop a reusable next-generation launch vehicle to reduce launch costs and meet diverse demand for satellite launches.

In the satellite sector, KASA will lay the groundwork for mass production of satellite constellations and support companies in non-space sectors, including semiconductors and materials, in entering the market. In particular, it plans to build a homegrown low Earth orbit satellite communications network by 2035, securing an independent network that can also be used for national security and emergencies such as disasters.

KASA also reaffirmed its lunar exploration schedule. It will pursue the launch of a lunar-orbit communications satellite in 2029 and a small lunar lander in 2030, and plans to secure key technologies for an independent lunar landing in 2032.

In the aviation sector, KASA plans to participate in the joint development of next-generation commercial aircraft with global commercial aircraft manufacturers and develop hybrid vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to prepare for entry into the future air mobility market.

"We will develop the space and aerospace sector into a strategic industry for the nation's future and usher in the era of K-Space through technological self-reliance," Oh said.

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