Korea’s domestically produced launch vehicle Nuri takes off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do Province, on May 25, 2023. (Courtesy of KARI)

Korea’s newest government agency will officially begin managing the nation's space development initiatives this month. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) will be headquartered in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. It will function as a central control center, overseeing industrial advancement, interdepartmental policies and international collaborations tied to the nation’s space-related development. Additionally, KASA will focus on aeronautical and space research, including missions to the moon and Mars.

Korea became a member of the space launch community in 2013 with the successful launch of Naro, the nation's first domestically created orbital launch vehicle. Since then, Korea has focused on employing the Nuri launch vehicle to send commercial-grade satellites into orbit. In May 2023, Korea achieved a milestone on this project by launching a locally developed satellite into space using a vehicle that was also manufactured within the country, joining the likes of the United States, France, Japan, Russia, China and India. The future of this project involves the creation of a next generation launch vehicle that will surpass Nuri’s capabilities for satellite deployment. KASA–along with its sub-agencies the Korea Aerospace Institute and the Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute–will spearhead this initiative.

Apart from Nuri, KASA will direct a variety of other major space-related projects. In April of this year, a government committee specified which projects KASA would be involved in moving forward. These projects encompass the creation of a compact reusable launch vehicle system; the establishment of a maritime launch platform; design of ultra-high-resolution satellites; and ventures into deep space exploration such as Mars, asteroids and L4 (Lagrange Points). KASA will also conduct fundamental research on space optical communication and space solar power as well as work on the development of a civilian passenger aircraft and the creation of a hybrid electric/gas turbine for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. Other tasks include the formulation and construction of a Korean-style integrated space situational awareness system and the incorporation of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) into satellite information.

Korea's new space agency will be launched in May. The agency will oversee further development of technologies related to spaceflight. (Courtesy of KARI)

Through KASA, the Korean government aims to bolster more than 2,000 innovative aerospace companies, with a view to boosting the economy and generating 500,000 quality jobs. The government’s investment in this sector will be increased to capture 10 percent of the global aerospace market, which is valued at 420 trillion won. The ultimate objective is for Korea to rank among the top five space powers worldwide by 2045. Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-Ho emphasized in January of this year that the establishment of KASA signifies a major stride toward achieving global space dominance. According to Minister Lee, this will not only provide a new growth engine for the Korean economy but also pave the way for a moon landing by 2032 and the exploration of Mars by 2045, which coincides with the nation's centennial anniversary of national liberation from Japanese rule.

The launch of KASA marks the achievement of one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's campaign promises. After President Yoon released a space economy roadmap in November 2022, a task force was formed to set up a space agency. In early January of this year, a bill on a special act to establish and run KASA was passed by a parliamentary plenary session after its submission in April of last year.

Ultimately, the inauguration of KASA showcases Korea’s commitment to positioning itself as a significant contributor to the global space industry. The formation of KASA, akin to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States, the China National Space Administration and Russia’s Roscosmos, is essential for effectively harmonizing and managing the country’s public and private space-related advancements. KASA will pave the way for joint initiatives with prominent space organizations like NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, as well as economic collaborations with up-and-coming nations such as the United Arab Emirates, which have expressed a keen interest in cooperating in the aerospace field.