On May 27, the Korean Aerospace Administration opened its doors, ushering in an era of private-sector-led space development known as 'new space.' The Korean Aerospace Administration is an organization established to foster the domestic aerospace industry and related policies. The government envisions nurturing domestic space corporations to develop the aerospace industry as a future source of income.
If the entry into the new space era for Korea began this year, next year is expected to mark the time when private corporations' activities will commence in earnest. Private corporations will take over the Korean launch vehicle Nuri and carry out its first launch, while launch vehicle startups are anticipated to begin commercial operations.
◇Corporate-led space launch vehicles enter orbit
The Korean launch vehicle Nuri will undertake its fourth launch in the second half of next year. Nuri has not had any significant launches this year since its third launch last year. After breaking a one-year hiatus, a launch vehicle created with domestic technology will venture into space once again. The fourth launch of Nuri is distinct in that private corporations are actively involved.
Korea's leading space corporation, Hanwha Aerospace, will jointly oversee the launch with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, which led the development of Nuri as a systematic integration corporation. Hanwha Aerospace observed the preparation and operation for the next launch to participate after the third launch. Korea is expected to open the full-fledged new space era with Nuri as the starting point.
Innospace and Perigee Aerospace, which are developing small launch vehicles, are also set to embark on commercial launches and test flights, respectively, next year. Innospace has postponed its first commercial launch from March to July of next year. The launch schedule was delayed due to difficulties in securing parts and building new test facilities. The launch will take place at the Alcântara Space Center in Maranhão, Brazil, where a successful test flight was conducted last year.
Perigee Aerospace initially planned a test launch this year but has postponed it multiple times due to worsening weather and component defects. In November, an incident occurred where a barge used as a maritime launch facility was swept away by waves. Perigee Aerospace aims to challenge the test launch again in the first quarter of next year.
There are also significant space events underway with Korea and the U.S. jointly developing projects. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch the SPHEREx space telescope at the end of February next year. SPHEREx is an infrared telescope designed to observe the entire universe. If SPHEREx successfully completes its mission, it is expected to resolve questions about why the universe is expanding and the origins of galaxies.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is the only overseas research team participating in the SPHEREx project. The institute has developed 'ultra-cold performance testing equipment' to verify whether the SPHEREx telescope operates correctly in space. The observation data from SPHEREx will also be analyzed in collaboration with U.S. researchers.
◇Demonstrating space-based in-flight refueling 'propellant transfer'
Significant space events are also set to unfold abroad. The American space company SpaceX will demonstrate its space-based in-flight refueling technology, known as 'propellant transfer,' in early next year. This technology refers to two spacecraft meeting in orbit to replenish fuel. The aerospace industry anticipates that SpaceX will conduct its propellant transfer test using two large spacecraft, Starship, during the first quarter of next year.
Propellant transfer is a crucial technology for NASA's lunar astronaut landing mission, known as 'Artemis.' It will also be utilized for Mars explorations promoted by SpaceX, as well as for fueling for deep space exploration. By reducing the weight of the launch vehicle, it can launch with less fuel and refuel in space, ultimately lowering launch expenses.
NASA's solar corona exploration mission, 'IMAP,' will also commence in earnest next year. The IMAP telescope is set to launch in September next year and will operate at the first Lagrange point (L1), where Earth's and the Sun's gravitational forces balance, allowing for stable positioning. The mission aims to explore the boundaries of the solar system using the IMAP space telescope, contributing to a greater understanding of solar winds, cosmic rays, and interactions between the solar system and external galaxies.
NASA's Jupiter probe, Juno, will disappear from space next year. Originally planned to conclude its mission in 2021, NASA extended Juno's mission to next year. Unless there is an additional extension, Juno is slated to finish its mission in September and will enter Jupiter's atmosphere, burning up.