Nuri 4th launch [Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Resale and DB prohibited] ksm7976@yna.co.kr

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) is accelerating the expansion of space infrastructure, including plans for the fifth launch of Nuri this year and the commencement of the construction of a second space center for the operation of reusable launch vehicles.

Furthermore, it will launch core projects to elevate Korea into one of the world's top five aerospace powers, including the establishment of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication network by 2035, moon exploration, and the creation of a South Coast aerospace belt.

◇ Full-scale development of Nuri’s 5th launch and reusable launch vehicles

KASA reported these plans as part of its second-half 2026 work agenda at the Blue House on the 16th.

The space agency is currently proceeding with preliminary processes, such as vehicle assembly, for the fifth launch of Nuri this year. The fifth Nuri vehicle will deploy five micro-class cluster satellites and 10 secondary satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit.

KASA plans to hold a launch management committee meeting next month to finalize the date for the fifth launch.

It has also decided to plan a "Nuri Follow-up Launch Support Project" worth over 200 billion won.

KASA is also embarking on the construction of a foundation for reusable launch vehicles, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

The goal is to design a next-generation reusable launch vehicle with launch costs at one-tenth the level of Nuri, and to equip facilities for methane engine testing and a launch pad by 2029 and 2030, respectively.

Additionally, the agency presented a roadmap to launch a space science probe in 2031 to verify the vehicle's delivery performance, launch a lunar lander using the same vehicle in 2032, and complete the demonstration of core technologies for the first-stage reusability by 2035.

Nuri 4th launch final assembly [Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Resale and DB prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr

◇ Promoting the construction of a second space center and LEO satellite network

KASA plans to upgrade the capabilities of the Naro Space Center, the "home" of Nuri, while simultaneously constructing a second space center to operate reusable launch vehicles.

The site for the second space center is planned to be approximately 1.7 million pyeong (approx. 5.6 sq km), similar in scale to the Naro Space Center, and will house operational facilities for reusable launch vehicles, including launch, landing, and maintenance sites.

KASA will accept applications from local governments interested in hosting the second space center until the 6th of next month and plans to announce the final selection in October.

To secure communication sovereignty and create new markets in telecommunications, KASA is building an LEO satellite network. It plans to verify the technology by 2032 and complete the network construction by 2035.

In addition, the agency is working to secure core technologies for ultra-high-resolution satellites, the Korean Positioning System (KPS), and space data center operations.

In the field of moon exploration, it will launch the Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM) for lunar surface analysis within the year.

Furthermore, it plans to launch a demonstration lunar orbiter communication satellite in 2029 and send a private small lunar lander in 2030.

In the aviation industry, the agency has decided to form a "Team Korea," consisting of relevant ministries and private partners, next month to participate in the international joint development of next-generation civilian aircraft.

KASA on-site press conference (Sacheon=Yonhap News) Oh Tae-seok, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration, speaks at an on-site press conference held at the KASA headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, on the 24th. 2026.6.25 [Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Administration. Resale and DB prohibited] photo@yna.co.kr

◇ Creating a South Coast Space Belt… Fostering 1,200 aerospace companies

KASA will also establish a "South Coast Aerospace Belt" based at its headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

The plan is to make the Sacheon headquarters a hub for research, manufacturing, and administration, and to connect Jinju, Changwon, Suncheon, and Goheung to create a private-led innovation ecosystem.

KASA stated that it would also seamlessly implement the "Strategy for Fostering the Republic of Korea's Aerospace Industry," which was resolved at the National Space Committee on the 3rd.

The strategy includes plans to increase the number of aerospace companies to 1,200 and raise the global market share to 3.0% by 2035. [Yonhap News]