Korea’s space agency seeks revision of plan to modify next-gen rockets into reusable system
South Korea's aerospace agency said on Thursday that it has formally requested a government review to revise the development plan for its next-generation space launch vehicle
- SEOUL — South Korea's aerospace agency said on Thursday that it has
formally requested a government review to revise the development plan for its
next-generation space launch vehicle, aiming to shift toward a reusable rocket
system.
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- According to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA),
the agency submitted a request to the finance ministry last week for a
feasibility reassessment of the project revision, yonhap news agency reported.
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- KASA announced in February that it plans to modify its
next-generation space rocket into a reusable system and acquire such technology
by 2035.
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- In its reassessment request to the ministry, the
administration said the envisioned change will be part of its broader strategy
to respond to the rapidly shifting landscape of the global space industry.
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- "The transition to a reusable launch vehicle is
crucial to enhance competitiveness and respond to emerging trends in space
launch development," KASA said in a statement. "We expect this
reassessment to serve as a turning point in the project."
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- KASA said it will work closely with the ministry to
ensure the revised project plan is thoroughly prepared without any delays.
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- Meanwhile, KASA also plans to establish a cross-sectoral
education system aimed at fostering a total of 30,000 aerospace talents by 2045
as part of its long-term strategy to become a global space powerhouse in the
face of the New Space era, Yonhap reported.
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- The ambitious plan is designed to build a space industry
ecosystem in response to the New Space era, which refers to the increasing role
of private companies in the space sector.
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- Under the plan, the agency will collaborate with related
government ministries to expand the young talent pool in space science, foster
mission-oriented specialists, and train a field-ready workforce.
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- To achieve such a goal, KASA will also develop space
education programmes for students. The agency aims to increase the number of
young aerospace trainees from 300 to 1,500 per year.
